Natural Cures Not Medicine: 11/13/13

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Natural cold and flu remedies you already have

There are no known cures for the common cold; however, your kitchen cabinets are likely stocked with many ingredients that can help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery.

LEMONS: Lemons can be used to soothe sore throats, cleanse blood and loosen mucus in the sinuses or throat. A healing lemonade can be made by adding the juice from half a lemon and one teaspoon of maple syrup to a cup of warm water. Cayenne pepper can also be sprinkled on for added cleansing effect.



CHICKEN SOUP: Chicken soup has been used since the 12th century, when the Jewish physician and philosopher Maimonides recommend chicken soup to treat colds and flu. A whole natural organic chicken can be used to create a healing broth.

MUSTARD: Mustard packs placed on the chest can reduce fever and help heal mucous membranes in the lungs and chest.

GINGER: Ginger kills germs, and ginger tea can be used as an antiviral and also for upset stomachs. To make ginger tea, simmer two tablespoons of fresh ginger (chopped or grated) mixed into two cups of water. Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and let it steep for ten minutes. This can be consumed as often as needed, as ginger is also healing for the stomach - and the stomach flu. A ginger bath stimulates the lymph system and can speed up lymph drainage. To make a ginger bath, use a food processor to finely grate a quarter cup of fresh ginger. Place the ground ginger into a cheesecloth (or an old nylon stocking will do) and soak in the tub as water fills.

GARLIC: Common household garlic is a great treatment for colds and flu and can also be used to prevent their occurrence. Raw garlic has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Research has shown that garlic could speed up healing from the flu and also increase immunity. Too much garlic can cause bleeding, so those taking medications for blood thinning, such as aspirin, should take care when increasing the amount of garlic in their diet.

(Note: Seek medical help if symptoms persist or worsen. At signs of sudden weakness, or high fever, seek emergency care.)


Source: NaturalNews

8 Pink Foods that Fight Breast Cancer


There are plenty of "pink" products in support of breast cancer awareness, but why not just cut out the middle man and eat naturally pink anti-breast cancer foods?

We've rounded up 8 naturally pink foods that have all been shown to help keep away breast cancer. Always choose organic to avoid pesticides and toxins. Go, Mother Nature!

Red cabbage
 
 A compound called indole-3-carbinol (also rich in cruciferous vegetables) is now being researched for its potential to significantly reduce the incidence of breast cancer.


Pomegranates










These gem-like fruits may prevent breast cancer, lab studies suggest, by blocking a certain enzyme (aromatase) that converts androgen to estrogen.

Beets










Extract of red beetroot has been shown to help suppress multi-organ tumors in lab tests, and experts are considering using them in combination with traditional anticancer drugs to reduce their toxic side effects.

Radishes










High in antioxidants, these have been shown to help reduce the spread of breast cancer cells. Additionally, a lab study with Japanese radish sprouts significantly lowered the incidence of mammary tumors.

Carrots










Full of beta carotene like their orange counterparts, the red and purple in these heirloom carrots indicates extra antioxidant power.

Apples















Red and pink peels indicate cancer-fighting anthocyanins...plus quercetin, a flavonol that inhibited breast cancer growth in a recent petri dish study.

Sweet potatoes










Not to be confused with yams, the pink-skinned or purple versions of these are high in antioxidants. Orange flesh indicates beta carotene—shown to reduce breast cancer risk by as much as 25% when eaten regularly. And a Japanese study on rats showed that sweet potato extracts reduced existing breast cancer tumors, and held back the growth of new ones.

Grapes











Choose red ones for the rich antioxidants in their skins: you'll get the same cancer-fighting component as in wine, but without the alcohol, which some studies suggest can boost cancer risk.

Source: GreenMedInfo

Five household ingredients for great hair


Did you know that there are common household items in your cabinets right now that you should be using on your hair? These 5 great items not only work wonders for your hair, but since you probably already have them, means you don’t have to go out to buy anything – triple word score!

Virgin Organic Coconut Oil (VOC)

Hands down, my favorite oil to use for my hair. I discuss at length here why VOC is so amazing. In a nutshell, this oil reduces protein loss in hair. This is great since hair gets brittle over time. I use it as a pre-shampoo  treatment, you can also use it as a hot oil treatment or an overall conditioner for your hair, if you don’t mind the smell. There’s a reason why Polynesian women have beautiful hair.





Aloe Vera Gel

You probably already are using aloe vera on your sunburn or bug bites to soothe your skin but have you tried using it on your hair? Whether you have super thick and curly hair like me, or fine and thin hair, aloe vera can be very beneficial for your hair. For one, it contributes to hair growth. In a study “The proteolytic enzymes Aloe vera slough off dead skin cells and open pores. It increases membrane fluidity and permeability and the outward flow of toxins and inward flow of nutrients” Aloe also has 75 known nutrients and its alkalizing effects brings hair and skin’s pH to a desirable level. But the most noticeable effect is how great it makes your hair look and feel. It calms the frizzies and minimizes fly-aways. For dry curly hair, use VOC and layer aloe on top and watch your curls pop.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

An ACV rinse is like heaven for your hair. If you have never done this before, you need to get with the program- stat! I like to mix one part ACV and 3 parts cool water, but feel free to experiment with your formula. After shampoo and conditioner, you want to pour the rinse over your hair. It results in smoothing the cuticle and leaving soft and shiny hair. The reason ACV is so awesome is because it removes the buildup from commercial products and helps with dandruff and itchy scalp.

Baking Soda

You know that you can use baking soda to naturally clean around your home, you can also use it to clean your hair. You can take back from the freezer what is rightfully yours (well maybe you should use a fresh box unless you want to smell freezer burnt). You can use baking soda to occasionally clarify your hair, it works well to remove impurities. If you have oily hair, you can add the powder directly on your hair and then brush through. It can be very harsh and best used in small amounts when diluted in shampoo or conditioner.

Agave Nectar

Raw agave nectar can provide conditioning by forming a polymer film on the surface of the hair, thereby smoothing the cuticle. It is a humectant which means it attracts water to your hair. To use Agave, you can use it with your favorite oil (VOC maybe) and rinse out. Because it is sugar-like, you want to make sure you rinse Agave out and don’t use it as a leave-in.
Alternatively, you can also use Honey to condition your hair. Honey also naturally lightens your hair. So, that’s actually 6 amazing everyday household items that you can be using on your hair right now for shiny, healthy-looking locks.
Remember to always consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before embarking on any treatment, it’s your health and it’s IMPORTANT.

Source:http://blogs.naturalcures.com/five-household-ingredients-for-great-hair/

12 Natural Home Remedies using Tomato



12 Natural Home Remedies using Tomato

The tomato is truly an amazing fruit. It is known to have many health benefits such as reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower high blood pressure,
and reduce cancer. Tomato has high nutritional content. Tomato has a good source of calcium and iron. It also contains some minerals such as phosphorus, sulphur and potassium needed in our body. As many would know, tomato is rich in Vitamin C. However, many would not know that the Vitamin C increases as the fruit ripens. Tomato also has some amounts of Vitamins A and B. Besides its health benefits and nutritional value, tomatoes are used as home remedies for minor ailments.
1) Diarrhea
If you're having diarrhea, try drinking the juice made by stirring the tomato paste from a dozen dried slices of tomato into a cup of water.
2) Bloodshot eyes
To relieve bloodshot eyes, eat 1 or 2 fresh tomatoes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
3) Face Peels
Tomato is excellent for purifying and rejuvenating your skin. Rub off the top layer of dead skin cells with the gentle help of tomatoes. Rub tomato slices directly onto your clean skin, focusing on areas with lots of blackheads. Tomatoes contain Vitamin C which has healing powers, and an acid which eliminates dead skin and unclogs pores, making skin soft and radiant.
4) Acne Scars
Slice up a tomato and place it on your face. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin A that prevents overproduction of sebum that causes acne. Vitamin A also has antioxidant chracteristics that refreshes and renews scarred and damaged skin.
5) Dark circles under the eyes
Make a paste using 1 tsp tomato juice, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, a pinch of tumeric powder and a pinch of gram flour. Keep the paste under your eyes for 10 minutes. Dark circles will disappear after several treatments.
6) Sunburn
Soak peeled tomato slices in buttermilk before applying them directly on your sunburnt skin. The acidity closes up the pores and soothing agents present in tomatoes will relieve the pain.
7) Eczema
If you have a skin problem such as eczema and skin sensitivity to sunlight, try drinking tomato juice everyday. You will begin to see the difference after a few weeks.
8) Wounds and sores
Tribal medicine men often prescribed potions made from the leaves of wild tomatoes to heal wounds and sores. Take a slice of fresh tomato and place it on the wound. The infection will normally clear within 2-3 days.
9) Mouth ulcers
If you have mouth ulcers, gargle tomato juice 3-4 times a day.
10) Anemia
If you're anemic, drink a mixture of apple and tomato juice. The rich iron content in the tomato will help relieve your anemia.
11) Morning sickness
If you're suffering from morning sickness during your pregnancy, drink a glassful of fresh tomato juice, mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper early in the morning. It is considered to be an effective remedy for morning sickness.
12) Lose weight
Want to lose weight? Do you know that 100g of tomatoes contain only 20 calories? These calories are easily absorbed by the body. The low calorie content makes it a favorite of obese people and is often recommended in weight loss program as it provides you with some of the essential vitamins and minerals, fills your stomach and doesn't add calories to your body.
Tomato is also known to be able to treat other ailments such as urinary tract infection, night blindness, jaundice, liver disorders, indigestion, constipation, intestinal disorders and diabetes. It is a natural antioxidant, helping the body cleanse itself of toxic coumpounds. So, start using tomatoes as your natural home remedy for these ailments.

Source: http://hanagem.hubpages.com/hub/12-Natural-Home-Remedies-using-Tomato

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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