Natural Cures Not Medicine: 11/08/13

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Top 20 Natural Painkillers You Already Have In Your Kitchen

Image: www.herbs-info.com
We just discovered a fantastic, fascinating list of natural painkillers that are common kitchen ingredients! What’s interesting is that the list is not just a basic list – but also gives specific information as to the type of pain that researchers have found that these natural ingredients may assist with – and the way in which the food is used (not all of the remedies involve actually eating the herb / food in question!)

This list is absolutely incredible – and the uses are based on reports from scientific research (this info is included at the source article – link at the foot of my commentary). The original list is a bit of a long read though, requiring much scrolling – and so we thought it might be good to seem them all “at a glance” – so for those who want to “skim” through the list really quickly, I made a “short version” of the top 20, together with a summary of the condition each item is used for.

Once again, the miracles of nature have astounded me and made me wonder if the modern world will tamper with everything before going full circle and realizing that “natural is best” after all! Thankfully there are still many good scientists doing groundbreaking work in this field and I take my hat off to you.

Top 20 Natural Painkillers List

Ginger (add to 1-2 teaspoons daily to diet for general muscle pain) 10 more health benefits of ginger
Cloves (chewed gently for toothache / gum inflammation)
Apple Cider Vinegar (1tbsp mixed with water before meals for heartburn) More apple cider vinegar uses
Garlic (made into a special oil for earache – recipe at the original article)
Cherries (joint pain, headaches – 1 bowl per day)
Oily fish (Salmon, tuna, sardines, trout, mackerel, herring – intestinal inflammation – 18oz per week)
Yogurt (PMS – 2 cups per day)
Turmeric (chronic pain – 1/4 teaspoon per day) Turmeric is more effective than 14 different pharmaceutical drugs
Oats (endometrial pain – they are gluten free)
Salt (hot, salty foot baths for ingrown toenails – 1tsp per cup of water – 20 mins twice daily)
Pineapple (stomach bloating, gas – 1 cup of fresh pineapple)
Peppermint (add a few drops of the essential oil to bath for sore muscles)
Grapes (back pain – 1 heaping cup per day)
Water (general injury pain, helps wash away the pain-triggering histamine – 8 x 8 ounce glasses per day)
Horseradish (sinus pain – 1 teaspoon twice daily)
Blueberries (bladder / urinary tract infections – 1 cup daily)
Raw Honey (topical application 4 times daily for cold sores / canker sores) (see also our special report on raw honey) More health benefits of raw honey
Flax (breast pain – 3 tablespoons daily – must be ground or seeds will pass right through!)
Coffee (migraines – caffeine stimulates the stomach to absorb pain meds better)
Tomato Juice (leg cramps – tomato juice is rich in potassium – 10oz daily)

Can you think of any more? Let us know in the comments.

Source: herbs-info.com

How To Boost Your Lymphatic System For Great Health

Carly Fraser | Live Love Fruit

The lymphatic system has three functions: 1. Fluid Recovery; 2. Immunity, and; 3. Lipid absorption. It is the body’s internal drainage system which is designed to rid your blood of acidic and toxic waste (the lymph system filters these toxins into our body’s major detox organs, the liver and kidneys). The tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system, all connected by a web of lymphatic vessels which, in a sense, is like a second circulatory system of the body.

The lymphatic system does not have a “pump” like our circulatory system does (the heart creates a beat which helps push and pump the blood around our body). Instead, the lymph system requires daily movement by the body and proper breathing in order to move lymph through the lymphatic vessels and to pass it through the filters in our lymph nodes.

Thus, we can see why exercising, meditating combined with conscious breathing, eating right, and avoiding processed foods and harmful toxins is essential to prevent infection and disease. Here are three steps to get your lymphatic system back on track to reveal a more healthier, vibrant YOU!

1. Foods For A Healthy Lymphatic System

Eating a proper diet rich in fruit and vegetables and adequate water are essential to ensuring your lymphatic system is clean and flowing free. Green leafy vegetables and herbs are an excellent way to enrich your system with chlorophyll because this molecule helps to purify your blood which in turn cleanses your lymph.

Citrus fruits also have wonderful astringent properties which help increase lymph flow and remove any blockages. As well, melons help keep the body alkaline (and the lymphatic system drains best in more alkaline environments), while berries are packed with antioxidants which keep our immune system strong and don’t make the lymph system work as hard to fight off disease and illness.

Eating healthy fats like avocado, nuts and seeds is also important to ensure we get enough essential fatty acids which help protect and nourish our lymph system.

Drinking plenty of water is also dependent on how well your lymphatic system will flow. Because our lymph system requires a constant supply of fluid, drinking at least 3-4L of purified or filtered water daily will help to keep it functioning at its best!

2. Do These Activities

Massage
Massaging is a great way to encourage natural drainage of the lymph from the tissue spaces in your body. In fact, it can increase the volume of lymph flow by up to 20 times, making it easier for the body to remove toxins, bacteria and viruses.

Exercise
Exercising, or “playing” as I like to call it (doing things you love while you are in motion) is critical to keeping your lymph system open and flowing! When your muscles move, they also help move and pump the lymph within it’s vessels. Walking, yoga, running, swimming, stretching and strength training are wonderful ways to keep the lymph flowing. Dancing (with lots of up and down movement – check out NIA!) or rebounding is particularly helpful because the vertical motion of the exercise opens and closes the one-way valves that comprise the lymphatic system (and can increase lymph flow by up to 15-30 times!).

Dry Brushing
Dry brushing helps increase circulation and helps improve your skin tone if you suffer from cellulite (mainly because the brushing helps to boost slower-than-average lymph systems). Starting on your arms, or legs, brush toward your heart with long strokes and do this for around 5 minutes all over your body before going into the shower.

Deep Breathing
Breathing deep is very important. Why? Proper movement of air through the lungs also helps move and pump fluid through the lymphatic system while providing it with fresh oxygen. Becoming conscious of your breathing throughout the day and getting out of the habit of shallow breathing is a great way to start.

3. Factors Contributing To A Sluggish Lymphatic System

Stress
About 80% of diseases are caused by stress. Learning to stress less, and taking time to meditate and think positive thoughts will help de-congest your lymph system.

Iodine Deficiency
Congestion of the lymphatic system is also commonly caused by an iodine deficiency. Iodine helps protect us from the toxic environment we live in (with radiation and other pollutants), and supports our lymphatic system at a cellular level.

Pesticides & Food Additives
Preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, and food additives like refined sugar, chemicals, and colourings all put strain on the lymphatic system. Consuming non-organic, highly-processed sugary and fatty foods simply creates an even larger workload for your lymph system and prevents it from properly filtering toxins and bacteria which will eventually lead to chronic disease.

Smoking & Second-Hand Smoke
This relates back to the toxin concept. Smoking increases your body’s receptivity to developing fungal or viral infections, parasites, ulcers, cancer, bronchitis, high blood pressure and many more issues. Why? Because smoking depresses the body’s immune response, and our immune system is essentially comprised of our lymphatic system, which houses our white blood cells (in the lymph nodes), and which scavenge any intruders.

Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs are toxic to the body. They contain harmful chemicals and dyes and these compounds suppress the immune system. Instead, using food as our medicine and weaning ourselves off prescription drugs will help clear the lymphatic system.

Animal Products (Meat, Dairy & Eggs)
Animal products are incredibly acidic to the body, and our lymphatic system does not function as properly in an acidic environment. The flow of the lymph system is more smooth when it is presented with a more alkaline body. In addition, meat, dairy and eggs contain hormones which are either naturally occurring or not (via injection while the animal is still alive), and these hormones interrupt the processing of our own hormones (in which the lymphatic system is largely involved).

Source: livelovefruit.com

10 "Healthy" Foods that are Anything but Good for You

by Carly Fraser | Live Love Fruit

Image: lifehacker.com
You thought you were eating healthy. Talked to some doctors, friends, or perhaps even did some research online. The number of processed foods you have bought steadily declined, but you still do not feel your optimal best.

A lot of products that have been advertised as being “healthy” are actually sabotaging your health and overall well-being. These products contain GMOs, chemical fillers, colourings, high sodium and refined sugar content as well as high levels of saturated and trans fat. Getting your health food information from TV or radio talk shows, or relying on your doctor or magazines to tell you what you should be eating probably isn’t your best bet.

Taking responsibility for your own health, and doing your own research is the only way you can be certain that the food you are putting in your body isn’t toxic. Eating fresh, whole foods like organic & local fruit and vegetables is quite simple in this respect because you know what is in your food, and don’t need to put much thought into it (hence, why I like to promote a high raw vegan diet devoid of any and all processed foods).

Find out why these perceived “healthy” food choices aren't as nutritious as you thought:

Prepared Salads
Prepared salads you buy in a store usually aren’t the healthiest option. These are often hidden with low-quality, artery-clogging fats like mayonnaise and rancid oils. Choosing to make your own salads from scratch doesn’t require much more work, and you will be saving both your waistline and wallet.

Pre-made Smoothies
Not all smoothies are created equal. Just because it is labelled as a “smoothie,” doesn’t necessarily mean it is healthy. A lot of smoothies are loaded with refined sugar, fat, un-necessary extra calories and other unhealthy chemical-related ingredients, which, instead of making you healthier, are actually sabotaging your health. It is much cheaper and easier to make your own smoothie in the morning and bring it with you instead of buying a smoothie on the go. Click HERE for ideas on constructing your own smoothie.

Trail Mix
That trail mix you thought was oh-so-healthy is actually oh-so-deceiving. If you are buying these pre-mixed and bulk, you will often find ingredients like high-fat peanuts, chocolate (such as M&Ms), dried fruit with added sulphites (preservative), and some other type of nut which are probably rancid (nuts and seeds that sit for awhile tend to go rancid quickly on shelves, but grocers still sell them). Instead, when you want a snack, grab some fresh fruit or vegetables, or make your own trail mix from scratch by making a mix of goji berries, chia seeds, pumpkin & sunflower seeds, organic raisins, un-sulphured coconut flakes and cacao nibs.

“Low-Calorie” Frozen Dinners
These range from things like Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers frozen dinners. These products are loaded with sugar, chemical preservatives, exceedingly high levels of sodium and provide less nutrition than wallpaper (I can make a joke, right?). If you are pressed for time, don’t sacrifice your health by popping a meal in the microwave and having it ready in under 5 minutes – instead, make a solid meal plan that you can stick to. That way you won’t need to resort to these excuses for “food.”

Energy/Granola Bars
A lot of the energy and granola bars sold in grocery stores and even health food stores are filled with high fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, and artery-clogging saturated and/or trans fat. It is much healthier to make your own batch of granola bars at home, such as this raw granola bar recipe. If you make a large enough batch and stick them in the freezer, they will last a lot longer, save you time and money!

Store Bought Muffins
A lot of people think that muffins are a healthy breakfast or snack option – think again! If you haven’t prepared them yourself, chances are they are loaded with refined sugar, colouring agents, chemical flavourings and lots of saturated fat and high sodium levels (some rack up at 600mg of sodium PER muffin!). If you haven’t noticed, a lot of the muffins found in stores and bakeries today are about 5 times the size of a regular muffin baked at home. Reduced fat muffins aren’t any better because they usually make up for the loss of flavour by adding in more sugar and more synthetic chemicals to make them taste better.

Fat-Free Products
Fat-free processed foods do not ensure weight loss. Fats, in general, provide a feeling of satiety (a sense that we have had enough to eat). Eating fat-free processed foods simply leaves an individual wanting more, eating more, and in the end, consuming more calories than if they had simply gone with the regular version of the fat-free product. Stripping away the fat in these products also leaves them dull and life-less tasting, so to make up for flavour, companies will add sugar, modified chemical ingredients and a bunch of sodium. It isn’t worth it! Eat fresh, whole foods, so you can avoid this mind-ache all together.

Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is not, by any means, a health food (contrary to what you might have thought!). These blessings in disguise are filled with refined sugar (around 76 grams for 1 16-oz cup!) and contain synthetic hormones as well as naturally occurring hormones which interfere with our own body’s hormone processing. Instead, make your own guilt-free fruit ice-cream which takes seconds to make by clicking HERE!

“Health” Drinks
Sports drinks, vitamin waters, diet drinks or anything of the like should be crossed off your list of foods you thought were healthy. These chemical concoctions are no better than reaching for and drinking your nearest all-purpose cleaner. Often filled with synthetic chemical sweeteners which are confirmed and known to cause cancer, these drinks are a big no-no. Instead, drink young thai coconut water to replenish electrolytes, or just infuse some water with various fruit overnight. For some healthy vitamin water fruit infusions click THIS link.

Whole Grain Bread
Are you sucked in by the wording on different bread packages? Perhaps it was the multi-grain lingo or 7-grain heavenly bliss that drew you in. These package labelings do not mean the bread itself is healthy. Make sure you always read the ingredients, or better yet just make your own bread from scratch using a gluten-free flour. Many of the breads out there which are labeled “multi-grain” or “7-grain” and “wheat” are usually made with refined grains, and thus, you are not benefiting from the full nutritional benefit of whole grain. If you see anything labeled as “bleached” or “unbleached enriched wheat flour” you should steer clear.

For more information on wheat and why humans were not designed to consume it, I suggest you read the book “Wheat Belly” or “Grain Damage.”

Source: livelovefruit.com

8 Natural Ways to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

by Sayer Ji | greenmedinfo.com

Image: b4tea.blogspot.com
Compelling reasons to stop smoking far outnumber effective ways to do so. Even with recent revelations that tobacco is contaminated with the highly carcinogenic radioisotope polonium-210, the addictive hold it maintains on millions of smokers worldwide who already know it causes premature death and cancer is far more powerful than the desire for self-preservation, it would seem.


This is why effective, natural interventions for smoking cessation are so needed today and why we are excited to report on a new study involving a solution that can be found not at your local pharmacy, but at your local grocer's fruit stand.

In a new study published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand titled, "Efficacy of fresh lime for smoking cessation,"[i] researchers from the Department of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand tested the effectiveness of fresh lime as a smoking cessation aid compared with nicotine gum.

100 regular smokers aged 18 or older who were willing to quit were entered into a six-month long randomized, controlled trial, receiving either fresh lime (47) or nicotine gum (53) over the course of the study. Smoking reduction was confirmed through measuring exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), with measurements at weeks 9-12 being the primary outcome. Severity of craving was also measured using a visual analogue scale.

The results of the trial showed that there was no significant difference in abstinence rates between the groups during weeks 9-12, although they did observe that "7-day point prevalence abstinence at week 4 of the fresh lime users was statistically significant lower than those using nicotine gum (38.3% vs. 58.5%; p = 0.04). They also found fresh lime users tended to report more intense cravings than the nicotine gum group, but the number of cravings were found not to differ significantly between the groups.

The report concluded, "Fresh lime can be used effectively as a smoking cessation aid, although not as good as nicotine gum in reducing cravings."'

Lime

Lime, of course, is an easily accessible and non-toxic alternative to nicotine gum, and physiologically has a number of 'side benefits,' including alkalinizing the tissues, which are normally more acidic in tobacco users to begin with.  It is also an anti-infective agent, having been demonstrated to have significant antimicrobial activity against multiple strains of drug resistant E. coli,[ii] and inhibiting the survival of Vibrio cholera, the pathogen that contributes to cholera, in foods;[iii] another nice 'side benefit' considering smokers often have compromised immunity.

Additional evidence-based natural aids for smoking cessation include:

Acupunture: Acupuncture treatment ameliorated the smoking withdrawal symptoms as well as the selective attention to smoking-related visual cues in smokers. [iv]

Exercise: Five minutes of moderate intensity exercise is associated with a short-term reduction in desire to smoke and tobacco withdrawal symptoms.[v] [vi]

Hypnosis: Hypnosis combined with nicotine patches compares favorably to standard behavioral counseling for smoking cessation.[vii] In a meta-analysis of 59 studies hypnosis was judged to be partially efficacious in the treatment of smoking cessation.[viii]

Black Pepper: Inhalation of vapor from black pepper reduces smoking withdrawal symptoms.[ix]

Mindfulness: Mindfulness-based interventions reduce the urge to smoke in college student smokers.[x]

Self-Massage: Smoking cravings are reduced by self-massage.[xi]

Rhodiola rosea: Rhodiola rosea has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of smoking cessation.[xii]

St. John's Wort: There is preclinical evidence that St. John's wort is therapeutic in nicotine addiction.[xiii] [xiv]  [Note: St. John's wort can interact with a wide range of medications, and should be used under the guidance of a licensed health professional]

Source and citations: greenmedinfo.com

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Man May Lose Custody of His Son After Refusing to Take Him to McDonald's

Natural Cures Not Medicine

Image: lilsugar.com
In yet another instance of government overreach into family life, a New York dad may lose custody of his son for not taking him to McDonald's for dinner after the child refused to eat anywhere else.

Here are the parents. Image: nydailynews.com
David Shorr insisted that his son was given the option to "eat anywhere but McDonald's", after which his son threw a "temper tantrum" and refused to eat anything for dinner. According the Shorr's defamation suit, he then brought his son to his mother's house to drop him off. The parents, who are in the middle of a high tension divorce, are now arguing over this McDonald's incident in the fight for custody.

Shorr claims that he didn't want his son eating Mcdonald's "because his son had been eating too much junk food," however court-assigned psychologist Marilyn Schiller has deemed Shorr unfit for parenting after letting his child choose not to eat rather than take him to McDonald's.

Reflecting on the situation, Shorr stated that "I wish I had taken him to McDonald’s, but you get nervous about rewarding bad behavior."

Shorr said his wife immediately took their child to McDonald's after he brought him home, so he ended up eating.

What are your thought on this story? Let us know in the comments below.




The Process Used to Make Your Toilet Paper White Is Toxic, and Using it is Bad for You

Image: www.mygreenlifestyle.fr
Did you ever wonder how toilet paper (or any paper, for that matter), gets to be so white? Paper made from wood would ordinarily be brown (like paper bags or cardboard boxes) and would yellow in time (as newspaper does), so the pulp and paper industry, which some say is among the worst-polluting industries on Earth, uses chlorine and its derivatives, such as chlorine dioxide, to bleach it.

This process leads to the creation of cancer-causing chemicals like dioxins and furans, which not only enter the air but also waterways, soil and the food chain. Exposure to even low levels of dioxins has been linked to hormone alterations, immune system impairments, reduced fertility, birth defects and other reproductive problems.

How does conventional toilet paper effect you?

According to thepolivkafamily.com:

(1) It’s dry. 
(2) The chemicals it’s processed in are bad for those sensitive areas. 
(3) It leaves particles. (Gross.) 
Also, did you know that it takes 37 gallons of water, 1.3 kilowatt/hours (KWh) of electricity and some 1.5 pounds of wood to make a SINGLE roll of toilet paper? [1] Not to mention all the energy it takes to process it from our sewer system. 
Chemical-laden baby wipes are no good either. They have things like methylisothiazolinone in them, which I can’t pronounce. As a general rule, if I can’t pronounce it (or eat it), then I don’t put it in or on my body. 
For years now, I’ve been getting really thin tears “down there” that feel like paper cuts. I’ve now learned that these are called vaginal fissures and can be caused by certain soaps, artificial fragrances, tampons, scented or colored panty liners, and paper toilet paper. When I got married, these vaginal fissures became even more of a problem, as they made intercourse very painful. 
Think about how MUCH bleached, processed plant material we put in that area! Tampons. Disposable pads. Toilet paper. It’s all highly processed and full of chemicals, and we put it RIGHT THERE all up in our most sensitive bits! 
The solution? Eating a balanced diet (check!) and cloth toilet paper. (I also gave up tampons to use a Mooncup instead, but that’s a different post!)
How to make cloth toilet paper: 

According to thepolivkafamily.com:
First, get some organic flannel patterns that you just adore. (I am seriously in love with these little birds!) Then, I suggest you get a cute little fabric bin to put the finished squares in. Simply cut, double layer, and sew into squares. Then you’re done! 
And if you’re really concerned about bacteria, instead of throwing the used cloths into a dry bin, you can throw them into a vinegar and water solution, and perhaps add a little tea tree oil, as well. Voilà! 
Many people around the world prefer to rinse first, using bidets, some sort of water bottle or vessel, or even spray bottles. With family cloth, we use a mini spray bottle in conjunction with the cloth. We only ever need to use one square at a time; and overall, it seems much more hygienic than regular paper toilet paper, which sometimes doesn’t get everything and can leave paper particles. 

Source: thepolivkafamily.com & GMO free Chick on Facebook

Cannabis Plants Pop up All Over Germany as Form of Protest

In the small, university town of Gottingen, Germany, a handful of autonomously acting ‘Flower Children’ have decided to rogue-plant cannabis seed in the hundreds of thousands as an act of defiance against the ‘demonization’ of a plant that has been proven to treat multiple ailments.

To put it in simper terms, citizens are planting cannabis plants randomly throughout the town to really show officials what the people want.

The pro-marijuana supporters point to Germany’s restrictive laws, and many comment on the plants abilities to do more than just get people high.

Police continue to pull the plants up, no matter where they sprout, and often mistake non-cannabis plants as the work of the activists. They have been told to be vigilant about removing anything that looks like cannabis.

This form of guerilla gardening is nothing new. Another activist gardener, Ron Finley, decided to start planting fruit, vegetables, and herbs in abandoned public spaces like lots, traffic medians, and along curbsides in LA as a means to improve his own neighborhood and provide food and community to his fellow people.

Though the pot-planters are meeting resistance with the local police in Germany, they are successfully demonstrating a form of protest through the appearance of multitudes of cannabis plants that are popping up all over the town. This causes discussion among the residents and causes the people of Gottingen to ask ‘why not pot?” Why is marijuana illegal?

There are thousands of peer-reviewed medical journals that point to the efficacy of cannabis as a healing plant, so the activists’ questioning of the current demonization of the plant are not unfounded. The healing plant has been shown to help those with osteoporosis, depression, nausea, headaches, insomnia, and has been shown to treat untreatable seizures. The marijuana and cancer connection is especially strong, with countless studies showing how the plant can beat cancer.

The cannabis plants that appeared at the police station in the German town were removed immediately, but they are still popping up all over parks, and gardens elsewhere in the city.

Source: Natural Society via whydontyoutrythis.com

Disclaimer:

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

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