Tea Tree Oil Benefits

Reposted from Dr. Mercola

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Practical, inexpensive, and has many uses for your health and around the home — no wonder tea tree oil is hailed as a "jack of all trades" among nature's herbal oils. Here's what you need to know about tea tree oil.

What Is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea tree oil (TTO), also called melaleuca oil, is made from the leaves of the tea tree plant (Melaleuca alternifolia), a member of the myrtle tree family, which is native to Australia.
The name was coined by British explorer Lieutenant James Cook in the 1770s, when he saw native Australians brewing tea using the leaves from the tree. Later on, he brewed his own batch of tea, and gave it to his crew to prevent scurvy.¹
The tea tree plant is highly prized by primitive Australian communities for its unique healing ability.
Numerous aboriginal communities along the east coast of Australia have a long historical use of tea tree as an antiseptic for skin conditions. They simply crushed the tea tree leaves and applied it to cuts, burns and infections.
It was only in the 1920s, after Arthur Penfold,² an Australian state government chemist, published a series of papers on tea tree oil's antiseptic properties that this oil's benefits became widely known.
Through modern distillation methods, manufacturers are now able to produce tea tree oil with a clear to very pale golden or yellow color, and a fresh, camphor-like scent.³

Uses of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has been long valued for its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. In the 1920s, it was used in dentistry and surgery to help clean wounds and prevent infections.⁴
Surgeons believed that it is more effective than carbolic acid, the commonly used antiseptic at that time.⁵
Tea tree oil's has become more popular within the last few years, and it is now added to soaps, shampoos, lotions and other personal care products. Tea tree oil has many uses around the home, too. An article in Mother Nature Network⁶ lists nine home uses of tea tree oil, including:

• Toothbrush cleaner — A drop of tea tree oil can disinfect your toothbrush, which is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
• Mold treatment — Mix a drop with a cup of water, spray on moldy areas and then wipe clean. For an all-natural disinfectant, you can also sprinkle a few drops of tea tree oil along with baking soda on your bathroom or kitchen surfaces.
• Natural pest control — The strong smell of tea tree oil naturally repels ants and other insects. I recommend making a natural insect repellent by mixing a few drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil.
• Laundry freshener — Adding a few drops of this oil during the wash cycle will make your laundry smell crisper and kill organisms lurking in your washer.

Composition of Tea Tree Oil

There are over 100 components in tea tree oil, but it is mostly made up of terpene hydrocarbons: monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their alcohols.⁷ Light, heat, exposure to air and moisture can affect TTO's stability, so make sure to place it in an airtight container and store it in a dark, cool and dry place.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has gained a reputation for being an all-around remedy, from removing makeup⁸ to treating warts.⁹ Numerous studies have been conducted to prove the potential benefits of tea tree oil for health ailments, such as:

• Acne — A comparative study published in the Medical Journal of Australia¹⁰ found that TTO and benzoyl peroxide both had a significant effect in ameliorating patients' acne. Although the onset of action in tea tree oil was slower, it caused fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide.
• Fungal infections — A study published in the journal Tropical Medicine and International Health found that treating toenail onychomycosis with 2 percent butenafine and 5 percent TTO in cream cured 80 percent of patients.
• Bacterial infections — A 2004 study¹¹ funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) found that TTO may be used as an adjunctive treatment for wounds, and may even help treat severe infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
However, large, well-designed clinical trials are lacking, and the jury is still out on whether tea tree oil really has this potential.

Smaller-scale clinical studies on tea tree oil revealed TTO's potential for helping treat athlete's foot, dandruff, lice, gingivitis and genital infections.

Tea tree oil is said to be helpful in alleviating chest and head congestion, stuffy nose and other symptoms of colds and flu

In aromatherapy, tea tree oil is said to be helpful in alleviating chest and head congestion, stuffy nose¹² and other symptoms of colds and flu, especially when used in steam inhalation.
Steam inhalation clears the congested nasal passages and kills bacteria.
Adding an antiviral essential oil like TTO makes it that much more effective. Just add a few drops to a steaming bowl of hot (purified) water, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the vapors for five to 10 minutes. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your bathwater may also help stop a cold from developing.¹³

How to Make Tea Tree Oil

Large-scale tea tree oil manufacturers use steam distillation to extract the product.¹⁴ But if you have fresh tea tree leaves on hand, you can easily make this oil. Here's a step-by-step process from OfftheGridNews.com:¹⁵

✓Put the leaves in a pot and cover with water. Place a vegetable steamer in the pot over the top of the leaves and water.

✓Put a measuring cup inside the steamer.

✓ Place the lid on the pot upside down, so that the handle nub in the center is pointing toward the measuring cup.

✓ Boil the water to steam the leaves. The water will condense and evaporate, and the condensation will slide toward the handle and into the measuring cup.

✓ Put about four ice cubes on top of the upside down pot lid to hasten the steam condensation.

✓ Turn off the heat once all the ice has melted.

✓ Take off the lid and pour the ice cube water into the sink, and then remove the glass measuring cup.

✓ Pour the measuring cup contents into a separating funnel, but make sure the stopcock at the bottom of the funnel is closed. Close the top of the funnel and shake vigorously.

✓ Invert the funnel and then open to release the pressure. The oil will float to the top of the water, effectively separating the two substances.

✓ Put a glass bottle beneath the stopcock and release the water. Pour the oil into a tinted glass bottle.

✓ Repeat the process up to three more times to pull more oil from the leaves.

How Does Tea Tree Oil Work?

The chemicals in tea tree oil may help kill bacteria and fungus and reduce allergic skin reactions. Experts believe the most beneficial component of tea tree oil is its high terpene content. According to Dr. Aurora DeJuliis, a dermatologist and aesthetician based in New Jersey, terpenes are a type of volatile oil that has been shown to destroy bacteria.¹⁶
However, I advise you to use tea tree oil with caution — it's meant to be used topically. Some mouthwash or toothpaste products contain tea tree oil but are generally safe, as they are not swallowed.
Using tea tree oil at full strength can cause skin irritation, which is why it is often diluted with other natural ingredients, like raw honey or coconut oil. Different treatment options also call for different percentages of tea tree oil. For example, acne treatments only require 5 to 15 percent TTO. For fungal infections, 70 to 100 percent TTO is used.¹⁷

Is Tea Tree Oil Safe?

The answer is yes, as long as it is applied topically in appropriate doses and NOT swallowed. This oil may irritate your skin, especially if used for the first time. I recommend starting with low concentrations until you figure out your tolerance.¹⁸ It's also a good idea to determine if you have an allergy to tea tree oil before using it. Apply a small amount to your inner arm to see if any reaction occurs.¹⁹
The NCCAM recommends avoiding oxidized oil, which has been exposed to air, because it may trigger allergies more than fresh tea tree oil.²⁰ Avoid using undiluted tea tree oil to avoid irritation as well. Instead, use it in gel, cream or lotion form. Look for an all-natural topical product that incorporates tea tree oil in safe quantities.

Risks of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains varying amounts of 1,8–cineole,²¹ a skin irritant that may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The rashes are usually mild and itchy, but may also lead to blistering. Serious allergic reactions may also occur. DO NOT swallow or ingest tea tree oil. It may cause severe reactions, such as rashes, blood cell abnormalities, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, hallucinations and ataxia (loss of muscle control in the arms and legs).²²
Tea tree oil may also be toxic to pets if ingested. Veterinary toxicologists found that large amounts of undiluted tea tree oil applied to the skin of cats and dogs caused a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction.²³ If you are allergic to eucalyptol, use TTO with caution, as many formulas are mixed with eucalyptol.

This Soap Causes Breast Cancer

Reposted from Healthy Food Fridge

http://www.thehealthyfoodfridge.com/soap-cause-breast-cancer/

We use soaps every day and we don’t even think twice about it. We use them to maintain our hygiene and protect ourselves from germs and bacteria. However, latest discoveries show that the antibacterial chemicals which manufacturers commonly use in antibacterial soaps could be doing more harm than good. According to a new study out of South Korea the commonly used antibacterial additive, triclosan, showed cancer-promoting effects both in vitro and in vivo, a discovery which has left many experts shocked!

The study conducted by Kyung-Chul Choi and colleagues from Chungbuk National University and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology primarily examined the effects of triclosan  on the hormonal system. A known hormone-disruptor, triclosan has been shown in previous research to mimic the feminizing hormone estrogen, which in turn alters the normal production and expression of other hormones like testosterone.

Having this in mind, it’s no wonder that the scientists discovered triclosan to be disrupting the endocrine system’s balance, causing abnormal cellular growths. It has an especially negative influence on women, triggering the growth of breast cancer cells, leading to the formation of malignant tumors. This was demonstrated both in cell samples and in live mice, and it seems that triclosan forms an ideal base for the proliferation of breast cancer.

The scientists compared the frequency and progression patterns of breast cancer growths, both in vitro and in vivo, for subjects who were exposed to triclosan and those who weren’t and the results were more than clear. Triclosan stimulates abnormal cell growth and this gets even more serious if we consider the fact that it accumulates in the body as time passes by, causing additional problems.
“Although the doses of EDCs were somewhat high, we did this to simulate the effects of daily exposure, as well as body accumulation due to long-term exposure, simultaneously in animal experiments,” stated Choi. “Thus, exposure to EDCs may significantly increase the risk of breast cancer development and adversely affect human health,” – it was stated in the paper.

Octylphenol amplifies cancer-causing effects of triclosan
During their research they were able to identify another antibacterial chemical, octylphenol, with similar cancer-causing properties. Even though it’s not as commonly used as triclosan, it was revealed that this chemical additionally harms our system, alongside triclosan, and stimulates abnormal cell growth and their proliferation, making it clearer than ever how toxic these substances are.

So which products contain triclosan?

In light of everything above mentioned, a great number of cosmetic product manufacturers started changing their formula, removing triclosan from their product, which is largely thanks to the media pressure. Below you can find a list of products which are or used to be formulated with triclosan, but this is not the complete list. Always try to look for triclosan in the products you use. Some retail outlets may still carry older formulations. Look out for labels that cay: “antimicrobial protection.” Some antibacterial soaps may use triclosan’s cousin, triclocarban, in place of triclosan.

Soap: Dial® Liquid handsoap and bodywash; Tea Tree Therapy™ Liquid Soap; Clearasil® Daily Face Wash; Dermalogica® Skin Purifying Wipes; DermaKleen™ Antibacterial Lotion Soap; CVS Antibacterial Soap, Ajax Antibacterial Dishsoap, Ultra Concentrated Dawn Antibacterial Dishsoap, Kimcare Antibacterial Clear Soap, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Hand Soaps, Gels and Foaming Sanitizers.

Dental Care: Colgate Total®; Breeze™ Daily Mouthwash; Reach® Antibacterial Toothbrush
Cosmetics: Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation; Mavala Lip Base; Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ; Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb, Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss, Babor Volume Mascara, Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk, Phytomer Hydracontinue Instant Moisture Cream, Bath and Body Works Antibacterial Moisturizing Lotions.

Deodorant: Arm and Hammer® Essentials Natural Deodorant; Queen Helene® Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant; DeCleor Deodorant Stick; Epoch® Deodorant with Citrisomes.

First Aid: SyDERMA® Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic; Healwell Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint; Solarcaine® First Aid Medicated Spray; Nexcare™ First Aid, Skin Crack Care; : Universal Cervical Collar with Microban.

Kitchenware: Farberware® Microban Cutting Boards; Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban; Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer; Chix® Food Service Wipes with Microban; Compact Web Foot® Wet Mop Heads.

Other Personal Care Products: Murad Acne Complex® Kit, ®; Diabet-x™ Cream; Scunci Microban Comb, Sportslick Pocket Slick.

Clothes: Biofresh® socks, undergarments, tops and bottoms.

Office and School Products: Ticonderoga® Pencils with Microban Protection, Avery® Touchgaurd View Binders, C-line® products, Clauss® cutting instruments, Costco® products, Sharp® printing calculators. Westcott® scissors

Other: Bionare® Cool Mist Humidifier; Deciguard AB® Antimicrobial Ear Plugs; Bauer® Re-Akt hockey helmet and 7500 hockey helment; Miller Paint Acro Pure Interior Paint; Holmes Foot Buddy™ HMH120U Antimicrobial Foot Buddy Foot Warmer, Blue Mountain Wall Coverings, California Paints®, Davis Paint® Perfection, Hirschfield’s Paint®,O’Leary Paint®, EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails, Dupont™ Air Filters, Winix Dehumidifiers, J Cloth® towels, select Quickie cleaning products, Kimberly Clark® WYPALL X80 Towels, Canopy® kitchen towels, ALUF Plastics®, BioEars earplugs, Petmate® LeBistro feeders and waterers, Infantino cart covers and baby carriers, Oreck XL®, Bissell Healthy Home Vacuum™, NuTone® Central Vacuum systems, Rival® Seal-A-Meal® Vacuum Food Sealer, CleenFreek SportsHygiene Yoga Mat, Resilite Sports Products, Rubbermaid® Coolers, Stufitts sports gear, Venture Products® fitness mats, Custom Building Products, DAP®Kwik Seal Plus®, Laticrete, Niasa Biquichamp® mortar grout and sealant, ProAdvanced Products.

There are a lot of other manufactures which use toxic chemicals, so we recommend you to carefully read the labels and avoid products with these substances: triclosan, octylphenol and triclorban.

Source:  www.healthyfoodteam.com

“Research has found that two EDCs — triclosan, an antimicrobial ingredient in many products, including soaps, cosmetics and cutting boards; and octylphenol, which is in some paints, pesticides and plastics — have accumulated in the environment,” explains ScienceDaily.com. “Additionally, triclosan is reportedly in the urine of an estimated 75 percent of Americans.”
We first heard about the dangers of these chemicals from consumer groups like Beyond Pesticides and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) who have worked tirelessly to raise the awareness about the dangers of triclosan. They were the first to point out its endocrine-disrupting properties and advocate for its removal from personal care products. Their efforts seem to be in vain, since a lot of manufacturers still use these chemicals without thinking twice about the consequences.

Nine Superfoods for Diabetics

Reposted from Dr. Mercola

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By Dr. Mercola

As of 2012, up to 14 percent of the American population had type 2 diabetes, and as much as 38 percent were pre-diabetic. This suggests about HALF of all American adults are either pre-diabetic or diabetic.^1,2
At least 20 percent of the population in every U.S. state is also obese³ — a condition that severely predisposes you to diabetes. That said, being skinny is not a blanket assurance of health.
Recent research suggests one-third of normal-weight adults may also be pre-diabetic without knowing it.⁴ Children are also getting fatter and unhealthier.
According to recent research, 7 million children in the U.S. have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and close to one-third of these kids also have either pre-diabetes or diabetes.⁵
Great Britain has also seen a rapid rise in these conditions. In 2003, 11.6 percent of people in Great Britain were diagnosed with pre-diabetes. That number had tripled by 2011, reaching over 35 percent.
As noted by BBC News,⁶ "The world is facing an 'unrelenting march' of diabetes that now affects nearly 1 in 11 adults" worldwide. Statistics such as these point to two very important facts:

• Genetics cannot be a primary cause of diabetes
• Something we're consistently doing must be horribly wrong

In this case, that "something" is a combination of seriously flawed food choices, poor exposure to natural sunlight and lack of physical activity.

Optimal Sun Exposure Required for Health and Diabetes

You may have the perfect diet but if you have failed to optimize your exposure to the sun and assiduously avoid blue light from artificial sources, not just at night but all day, then you will likely be challenged to achieve high level health.
Why? It's a very complex explanation, but the end summary is that it helps to optimize your mitochondrial function.
Please also review my recent article on using indoor sunglasses to minimize your exposure to blue light from artificial lights. They only need to be used when the lights are on and you are indoors, even in the daytime. Most people think they are only for night time use but this is incorrect.
Additionally, establishing an optimal circadian rhythm is important, so going outside, ideally barefoot, shortly after waking up and close to sunrise, exposing your eyes to natural sunlight for 3 to 5 minutes, is an important health practice.
If you have a night job, please consider changing your job as it is seriously damaging your health. Additionally, it would be ideal to get one to three hours of unfiltered sunlight (not through a window or sunglasses) every day and expose as much skin as you can.

Understanding the Cause of Type 2 Diabetes

Conventional medicine has type 2 diabetes pegged as a problem with blood sugar rather than the underlying problem of improper insulin and leptin signaling.
The reality is that diabetes is a disease rooted in insulin resistance, and perhaps more importantly, a malfunction of leptin signaling, caused by chronically elevated insulin and leptin levels. This is why treating type 2 diabetes with insulin does not resolve the problem.
What's worse, this treatment actually exacerbates it, and can lead to the development of type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes — an autoimmune disease in which your immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of your pancreas, resulting in an inability to produce any significant insulin.
If left untreated, this condition will ultimately cause death from a hyperglycemic coma. Lifestyle choices are the best strategies to controlling your blood sugar, reducing your risk of diabetes and preventing secondary health problems from the condition.
Historically, the rise in diabetes was prompted by a flawed nutritional and exercise program initiated by the now-refuted Seven Countries Study.
The study, published in the 1950s by the sugar industry-funded researcher Ancel Keys, Ph.D., sparked an increase in the quantity of net carbohydrates recommended in your diet and a severe reduction in healthy fats. This imbalance affects your cellular resistance to the hormones insulin, leptin and ghrelin.
This cellular resistance is the real foundation to problems with diabetes — not high blood sugar, which is a symptom, not the cause.

Diabetics Need to Rigorously Avoid High-Carb Diets

Most of the food people eat these days is skewing their metabolism toward insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
Most Americans are burning glucose as their primary fuel, which elevates blood sugar and promotes insulin resistance and inhibits your body's ability to access and burn body fat — hence, the connection between obesity and diabetes. Healthy fat, meanwhile, is a far preferable sort of fuel, as it burns far more efficiently than carbs.
The good news is that insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes can all be resolved through proper nutrition and exercise. One of the most important dietary recommendations is to limit net carbs (total carbohydrates minus fiber) and protein, replacing them with higher amounts of high quality healthy fats.
Most Americans consume harmful fats like industrially processed vegetable oils, which will invariably cause health problems.
So when we're talking about eating more fat, we're referring to natural, unprocessed fats found in real foods like seeds, nuts, butter, olives, avocado or coconut oil. Another good one is raw cacao — it's a phenomenal source of healthy saturated fats and many beneficial polyphenols.
One of the most efficient way to train your body to use fat for fuel is to remove sugars and starches from your diet.
The reason why low-net carb diets work so well for diabetics is because it helps you shift out of this nonfiber carb-based metabolism that depends on elevated insulin levels to drive blood sugar into cells and use carbs for fuel.

Diabetic? Track Your Net Carbs

The most important number to keep track of is your net carbs. This is calculated by subtracting the amount of fiber in grams from your daily total of carbohydrates in grams. The resulting number is your net carbs. A key way of preventing diabetes is to keep your net carbs below 50 grams per day.
The only way you'll know how many total carbs, fiber and net carbs you eat is to keep a food diary. The simplest way of doing this is to use an online nutrition tracker.
You need not do this forever, only as long as it takes for your body to remember how to burn fat as your primary fuel. This can be a few weeks to a few months. Once your body shifts, you can increase your healthy net carbs based on your activity level.
But be careful initially as you may be surprised at how quickly sandwich bread, pasta, soda, cookies and cakes add up — sometimes to over 350 grams per day. This high carb level increases your resistance to insulin and malfunction of leptin, increasing your risk of diabetes.
There are a number of trackers available, but my first choice is Cronometer.com/Mercola. That's my revision of the basic Cronometer tracker, and it's already set to default to calculate macronutrient levels based on a healthy high-fat, low-carb diet to get you into nutritional ketosis.
With these basic guidelines in place, following are nine "superfoods" for diabetics⁷ that you'd be wise to add to your diet on a regular basis.

1. Fatty Fish Low in Mercury
One of the most important foods for diabetes is seafood, as it provides the essential animal-based omega-3 fat docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from a food source.
DHA is vitally important as it is the only fat we know of that allows your body to take advantage of the photoelectric effect, the one that Einstein received his Noble Prize for. It converts the photons from the sun into DC electric current (electrons), which help fuel your mitochondria.
Optimal levels of DHA are one of the most important nutritional interventions that you can choose to make. If you haven't already checked your omega-3 index test to confirm your levels are adequate, I would strongly encourage you to do so.
That said, as levels of pollution have increased, you have to be very choosy about which types of seafood you eat. Most major waterways in the world are contaminated with mercury, heavy metals, and chemicals like dioxins, PCBs and other agricultural chemicals. If you're not careful, the toxic effects from the pollutants in the fish will outweigh the benefits of the omega-3 fats. Here are some important factors to consider:

• Choose fatty fish from cold-water locations, as not all seafood is a good source of omega-3. Good choices include wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring and fish roe.
• Avoid farm-raised fish, as they can actually be more hazardous than wild in terms of their toxic content. For example, researchers warn that farmed salmon may be one of the most toxic foods in the world, thanks to toxins found in the feed. Levels of omega-3 fats may also be reduced by as much as 50 percent in farmed salmon, compared to wild salmon, due to the grains they're fed.
• To evaluate your mercury exposure from various seafood sources, check out the online mercury calculator at GotMercury.org.⁸ The Environmental Working Group (EWG) also has a seafood calculator⁹ that can help you identify fish that are high in omega-3 and low in pollutants.

2. Avocado
Avocado (which is actually a fruit, not a vegetable) is a great source of healthy fat, fiber and about 20 different vitamins and minerals, including magnesium. As noted by Medical News Today:

"Eating foods that contain healthy fats may help increase fullness. Eating fat slows the digestion of carbohydrates, which helps to keep blood sugar levels more stable. Avocado is high in fiber too, with half a fruit containing 6 to 7 grams … Eating high-fiber foods can … improve weight loss, and make insulin more efficient. Spread avocado on toast in the morning instead of butter. Use avocado instead of mayonnaise in chicken or egg salad."

3. Seeds (Sunflower, Black Sesame, Black Cumin, Pumpkin and Chia)
Magnesium is a very important nutrient that many are deficient in. Lack of magnesium may raise your risk of insulin resistance, as it plays an important role in carbohydrate and glucose metabolism. Besides that, your body needs magnesium for more than 300 other biological and chemical processes, so make sure you're getting enough. As noted by Medical News Today:¹⁰

"For every 100 [milligram per day] mg/day increase in magnesium intake (up to a point), the risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreases by approximately 15 percent.¹¹ Most magnesium intake in these studies was from dietary sources, not supplements. Clinical studies have shown improvement in insulin sensitivity with magnesium intake between 300 and 365 mg/day. Researchers were also able to show that low magnesium levels resulted in impaired insulin secretion and lower insulin sensitivity."

Some of the most magnesium-rich foods are seeds. Additionally, although most of us are overloaded on unhealthy industrially processed omega 6 oils, we clearly need some, and unprocessed seeds are a terrific source:

• Sunflower:  One-quarter cup of sunflower seeds gives you 128 mg of magnesium.
• Black sesame: 1 ounce of sesame seeds contain about 101 mg of magnesium.
• Black cumin: Black cumin has a long history of medicinal use. Packed with antioxidants and immune-boosting components, black cumin has even been shown to have potent anti-cancer activity.¹² Studies have also shown black cumin can help prevent both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In one study, black cumin (nigella sativa) improved glucose tolerance as efficiently as metformin.¹³
• Pumpkin: 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds will provide you with 74 mg of magnesium (about 25 percent of your recommended daily intake). Pumpkin seed butter can be made at home; simply blend whole, raw pumpkin seeds in a food processor until smooth.
• Chia: Besides magnesium, chia seeds are also a good source of healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants. Just 1 ounce of chia seeds provides 10 grams of fiber. Add them to smoothies and salads

Other foods high in magnesium¹⁴ include nuts (especially almonds and cashews) and dark leafy greens (especially boiled spinach, which provides 78 mg of magnesium per cup). Avocados also contain magnesium.

4. Fiber and Digestive-Resistant Carbs
Diabetics also need to mind their fiber intake. Research¹⁵ shows that people with high intakes of dietary fiber not only have a significantly lower risk of obesity and diabetes, but also a lower risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and gastrointestinal ailments.

Importantly, higher fiber intake has been shown to improve glycemia, leptin and insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic and diabetic individuals alike. The best sources of fiber in your diet come from whole foods and include the following. Aim for about 50 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed.

✓ Chia seeds	✓ Berries	✓ Almonds
✓ Cauliflower	✓ Root vegetables and tubers, such as onions and sweet potatoes	✓ Green beans
✓ Peas	✓ Vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts	✓ Organic psyllium seed husk
✓ Artichokes	✓ Freshly ground flaxseed meal. Never use pre-ground as it is oxidized and damaged	✓ Black beans

Digestive-resistant starches also help maintain a steady blood sugar level. This refers to low-viscous dietary fibers that resist digestion in the small intestine and slowly ferment in your large intestine.¹⁶ Here, resistant starches act as prebiotics, feeding healthy bacteria. Since they're indigestible, resistant starches do not result in blood sugar spikes. In fact, research suggests resistant starches help improve insulin regulation, reducing your risk of insulin resistance.^17,18,19,20

Foods high in digestive-resistant starch include certain underripe fruits, specifically banana, papaya and mango, as well as white beans, lentils, seeds and products like potato starch, tapioca starch and brown rice flour. Interestingly, cooking a normally digestible starch such as potato or pasta and then cooling it in the refrigerator will alter the chemistry of the food, transforming more of it into resistant-type starch.²¹

5. Walnuts
Research shows higher nut consumption is associated with lower body weight, which is helpful for maintaining normal blood sugar levels.²² Walnuts, in particular, are a healthy choice for diabetics as they're high in fiber and healthy fats.

In one recent study,²³ participants at increased risk of developing diabetes who added 2 ounces of walnuts to their daily diet for six months showed improvements in blood vessel wall (epithelial) function, and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

Walnuts are great for snacking when you might otherwise be tempted to reach for chips or crackers. You can easily make your own trail mix, combining walnuts, pumpkin seeds and raw cacao nibs, for example. They're also a great addition to salads.

6. Spinach
Besides magnesium, spinach is also a superb source of potassium, low levels of which have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and diabetes complications. Cooked spinach provides 839 mg of potassium per cup. For comparison, one cup of banana — well-known as a potassium-rich food — contains 539 mg of potassium. One way to dramatically increase your spinach intake is to juice it. You can also add it to salad along with other mixed greens.

7. Strawberries
Fisetin, a substance found in strawberries, has been shown to prevent kidney and brain complications in diabetic mice.²⁴ Human studies have also demonstrated that people who eat plenty of berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, have a lower risk of both diabetes, heart attacks and dementia — outcomes thought to be related to the anthocyanins (a class of flavonoids) found in red, blue and purple-colored berries.²⁵

Studies have also linked the high vitamin C content of strawberries to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. One cup of fresh strawberries provides 160 percent of your daily need of vitamin C. They're a delicious addition to salad (spinach, walnut and strawberries make a tasty combination). You can also blend fresh or frozen strawberries into your smoothies. According to one such study:²⁶

"Though diabetes is not traditionally considered a risk factor for vitamin C deficiency, patients with diabetes should all receive dietary advice about healthy eating and vitamin C dietary sources, including fresh fruits and vegetables. The recommended dietary intake of vitamin C is 45 mg per day for adults.

There are some data suggesting that people with diabetes may have increased cellular uptake and turnover of vitamin C that would necessitate increased intake, and they also have an increased risk of deficiency."

8. Ginger
Research suggests ginger may help reduce fasting blood sugar in diabetics.²⁷ Part of this effect relates to its anti-inflammatory capacity. Indeed, anti-inflammatory diets in general are helpful for the prevention of diabetes. Ginger is often used in cooking. For example, you can add fresh, grated ginger to sauces, marinades and dressing. Alternatively, drink a cup or two of ginger tea each day. Simply steep a slice of fresh ginger in boiling water for a few minutes.

9. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another common cooking spice that has garnered attention for its anti-diabetes benefits. Besides sprinkling it on sweet potatoes or carrots, you can add it to tea for a flavorful kick in lieu of sugar, which is best avoided anyway. As noted in Medical News Today:²⁸

"Participants in one study²⁹ who took a high dose of cinnamon reduced their average blood sugar levels from 8.9 percent to 8.0 percent. Participants who took a low dose of cinnamon reduced their average blood sugar levels from 8.9 to 8.2 percent. Participants who did not take cinnamon saw no change."

Probiotic Strains Matched to the Illnesses They Heal

Reposted from Healthy Home Economist

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/probiotic-strains-matched-by-health-problem/

Imagine you are at the doctor’s office for help with a specific health concern. After a full examination, your doctor pulls out a prescription pad to write you a script for – gasp – a probiotic strain.

The prescription is handed to you, and you take a look at it.  Looking up in surprise, you ask the doctor if the recommendation is indeed for a probiotic rather than an antibiotic.
The doctor nods his/her head and explains that the particular strain recommended for your ailment has been found to have an 86% success rate as tested in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

You ask about side effects, and your doctor replies that there — ARE NONE.
You are (understandably) amazed. You take your prescription, fill it, take as directed, and your condition is taken care of…with minimal discomfort. You even experience other health issues clearing up — that you thought were completely unrelated.
Sound like a far-fetched scenario?

Depending on how up-to-date and open minded your health provider is, this may already be a reality. And it may become more of a reality in mainstream medicine in the future.

The reason?  Researchers are taking quite an interest in probiotic strains and their effects on human and animal health. In recent years there has been a surge in the study of probiotics, the human microbiota, and other related applications.

The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host”.

Some of the Ways Probiotics Keep Us Healthy

Probiotics have the ability to hinder or kill pathogens by strain-specific processes such as:

1. “Crowding Out” Pathogens

When probiotics are taken in sufficient and therapeutic amounts they can do the work of crowding out pathogens and using the nutrients and space that would otherwise be used by the pathogens.

2. Secreting Beneficial Chemicals

Probiotics produce and secrete molecules like bacteriocins (a protein produced by bacteria of one strain that is active against those of a closely related strain), hydrogen peroxide, antibiotics and more, that control the growth and survival of surrounding microorganisms.

3. Positive Stimulation of the Immune System

Probiotics “chat” with the immune system part of the gut (epithelial cells, Peyer’s patches M cells, and immune cells) encouraging them to have a response to pathogens and to contribute to the mucosal barrier, among other beneficial activities.

Specific Strains for Specific Issues

All this research has really exciting implications. Probiotics, rather than harmful prescription drugs with their many, dangerous, and even life-threatening side effects could become common and be used effectively by both mothers and health care practitioners alike. As consumers and patients let us be asking, no demanding, these kind of solutions for our family!

Below I have given 8 examples of specific conditions helped by specific probiotic strains (stay tuned for why the specific strain is important).

If your particular health challenge is not listed, please refer to my book a Mother’s Guide to Probiotics for a complete list of ailments matched to the best probiotic strains(s) as determined by the scientific research available today.

Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea

A meta-analysis of 34 double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies that included 4,138 people, concluded that the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG,  when given at the same time as antibiotics, had a greater than 60% reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Probiotic strain tested to help:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Which can be found in these brands:

1. Culturelle –  USA, UK, Canada
2. Ethical Nutrients – Australia

[Source]
Below are further examples of common conditions — and the probiotic strains tested to be effective in treating them.

Anxiety

Yes! There are even probiotics for anxiety. Our digestive tract has a profound effect on our mood and anxiety is no exception.

Probiotic strains tested to help:

• Lactobacillus helveticus R0052
• Bifidobacterium longum R0175

Which can be found in these brands:

1. Eagle CytoPro Balance (AU)
2. Pure Encapsulations ProbioMood (USA)
3. Xymogen ProbioDefense (USA)

[Source]

Colic

This all too common, “normal” condition is anything but normal and is a sign of distress and imbalance in baby. These probiotic strains have been found via research to help alleviate baby’s pain.

Probiotic strains tested to help:

• Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25
• Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27
• Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35
• Lactobacillus casei PXN 37
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66PXN 37
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66

Which can be found in this brand:

1. Bio-Kult (Source from practitioners or directly from Bio-Kult)

[Source]

Constipation

Constipation has many causes, from the top — to the bottom. Brain function, poor chewing, poor bile flow from the gallbladder, insufficient dietary water causing the colon to re-absorb what little water there is, to name a few. Probiotics play a part in stimulating motility (movement), and secretions that help bowel movements proceed normally and regularly.

Probiotic strains tested to help constipation:

• Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25
• Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27
• Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35
• Lactobacillus casei PXN 37
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66PXN 37
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66

Which can be found in this brand:

1. Bio-Kult (Source from practitioners or directly from Bio-Kult)

[Source]

Another probiotic strain tested to help constipation:

• Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12

Which can be found in these brands:

1. Standard Process ProSynbiotic (USA)
2. MediHerb Probiota (Australia)

[Source]

Dental Caries (Cavities)

Dental health is a hot topic in alternative health circles. Initial evidence strongly indicates that probiotics may play a role in healthy teeth.

Probiotic strain that helps prevent cavities:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Which can be found in these brands:

1. Culturelle –  USA, UK, Canada
2. Ethical Nutrients – Australia

[Source]

Eczema (Treatment)

Eczema can be one of the trickiest skin conditions to treat. It is typically a multi-faceted approach (internal healing and external lifestyle changes combined) that often does the trick.

Probiotic strains tested to help:

• Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25
• Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27
• Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35
• Lactobacillus casei PXN 37
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66PXN 37
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66

Which can be found in this brand:

1. Bio-Kult (Source from practitioners or directly from Bio-Kult)

[Source]

Infant Ger (Reflux)

Probiotic strains proven to help:

• Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis

Which can be found in these brands:

1. Blackmores Digestive Bio Balance (AU)
2. BioGaia Protectis baby drops or chewable tablets (Canada, USA, & worldwide)

[Source]

Mastitis (Breast Infection)

Ouch! Mastitis is painful, and usually comes when you are at your most vulnerable — breastfeeding a little one. Right now there are only a couple of probiotic strains tested for effective use against mastitis, and the one probiotic product that contains it is only available in Australia. I am hopeful that will change in the future.

Probiotic strains proven to help:

• Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716

Which can be found in this brand:

1. PureMedica Qiara

Complete List of Ailments Matched to the Best Probiotic Strains for Healing Them

If you want to learn more about specific strains and conditions…and why the specific strain counts, OR if you need help with selecting a probiotic brand, matching up probiotics strains with your specific objectives, with tips on dosing for kids and adults, I recommend you pick up a copy of my ebook, the Mother’s Guide To Probiotics.

Sources

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3182331/
2. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05104.x/full#apt5104-sec-0015
3. Videlock, E. J. and Cremonini, F. (2012), Meta-analysis: probiotics in antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 35: 1355–1369. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05104.x
4. Hawrelak, JA. (ed). Probiotic Advisor. Illuminate Natural Medicine, 2015 https://www.probioticadvisor.com/advisor/. Accessed 30 September 2015.
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21114493
6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11799281
7. http://drprobiotikum.hu/docs/synbiotics-in-managment-of-infantile%20colic.pdf
8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20974015
9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3446166/

More Articles on Probiotics
Probiotics Protocol for Healthy Traveling
How to Repair Your Gut After a Round of Antibiotics
How to Choose the Best Probiotic for Your Family
How Prebiotics Benefit Gut Health
Taking Probiotics  for Maximum Benefit

Bone Broth:  One of Your Most Healing Diet Staples


Reposted from Dr. Mercola

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/16/bone-broth-benefits.aspx?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=facebookmercola_ranart&utm_campaign=20160818_bone-broth-benefits

By Dr. Mercola
According to an old South American proverb, "good broth will resurrect the dead." While that's undoubtedly an exaggeration, it speaks to the value placed on this wholesome food, going back through the annals of time.
The featured article by Dr. Amy Myers¹ lists 10 health benefits of bone broth. Sally Fallon with the Weston A. Price Foundation² has previously published information about this healing food as well.
First and foremost, homemade bone broth is excellent for speeding healing and recuperation from illness. You've undoubtedly heard the old adage that chicken soup will help cure a cold, and there's scientific support for such a statement.
For starters, chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less sticky so you can expel it more easily. Processed, canned soups will not work as well as the homemade version made from slow-cooked bone broth.
For best results, you really need to make up a fresh batch yourself (or ask a friend or family member to do so). If combating a cold, make the soup hot and spicy with plenty of pepper. The spices will trigger a sudden release of watery fluids in your mouth, throat, and lungs, which will help thin down the respiratory mucus so it's easier to expel.
But the benefits of broth don't end there. As explained by Sally Fallon:³

"Stock contains minerals in a form the body can absorb easily—not just calcium but also magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur and trace minerals. It contains the broken down material from cartilage and tendons--stuff like chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, now sold as expensive supplements for arthritis and joint pain."

The Healing Influence of Broth on Your Gut

In later years, medical scientists have discovered that your health is in large part dependent on the health of your intestinal tract. Many of our modern diseases appear to be rooted in an unbalanced mix of microorganisms in your digestive system, courtesy of an inappropriate and unbalanced diet that is too high in sugars and too low in healthful fats and beneficial bacteria.
Bone broth is excellent for "healing and sealing" your gut, to use Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride term. Dr. Campbell's GAPS Nutritional Protocol, described in her book, Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS), centers around the concept of "healing and sealing" your gut through your diet.
Broth or "stock" plays an important role as it's easily digestible, helps heal the lining of your gut, and contains valuable nutrients. Abnormalities in your immune system are a common outcome of GAPS, and such immune abnormalities can then allow for the development of virtually any degenerative disease...

The Healing Benefits of Bone Broth

As the featured article states, there are many reasons for incorporating good-old-fashioned bone broth into your diet. The following health benefits attest to its status as "good medicine."

✓ Helps heal and seal your gut, and promotes healthy digestion: The gelatin found in bone broth is a hydrophilic colloid. It attracts and holds liquids, including digestive juices, thereby supporting proper digestion	✓ Inhibits infection caused by cold and flu viruses, etc.: A study4 published over a decade ago found that chicken soup indeed has medicinal qualities, significantly mitigating infection
✓ Reduces joint pain and inflammation, courtesy of chondroitin sulphates, glucosamine, and other compounds extracted from the boiled down cartilage	✓ Fights inflammation: Amino acids such as glycine, proline, and arginine all have anti-inflammatory effects. Arginine, for example, has been found to be particularly beneficial for the treatment of sepsis5 (whole-body inflammation). Glycine also has calming effects, which may help you sleep better
✓ Promotes strong, healthy bones: As mentioned above, bone broth contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients that play an important role in healthy bone formation	✓ Promotes healthy hair and nail growth, thanks to the gelatin in the broth

Making your own bone broth is extremely cost effective, as you can make use of left over carcass bones that would otherwise be thrown away. And while the thought of making your own broth may seem intimidating at first, it's actually quite easy. It can also save you money by reducing your need for dietary supplements. As mentioned above, bone broth provides you with a variety of important nutrients—such as calcium, magnesium, chondroitin, glucosamine, and arginine—that you may otherwise be spending a good deal of money on in the form of supplements.

Easy Chicken Broth Recipe

Both featured articles include a sample recipe for homemade chicken broth. The following recipe was provided by Sally Fallon, writing for the Weston A. Price Foundation.⁶ Her article also contains a recipe for beef and fish broth. (You could also use turkey, duck, or lamb, following the same basic directions.) For Dr. Myers' chicken broth recipe, please see the original article "10 Benefits of Bone Broth + Gut-Healing Recipe."⁷
Perhaps the most important caveat when making broth, whether you're using chicken or beef, is to make sure they're from organically-raised, pastured or grass-fed animals. As noted by Fallon, chickens raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) tend to produce stock that doesn't gel, and this gelatin has long been valued for its therapeutic properties.⁸ As explained by Fallon:

"Gelatin was universally acclaimed as a most nutritious foodstuff particularly by the French, who were seeking ways to feed their armies and vast numbers of homeless in Paris and other cities. Although gelatin is not a complete protein, containing only the amino acids arginine and glycine in large amounts, it acts as a protein sparer, helping the poor stretch a few morsels of meat into a complete meal."

Besides that, CAFO animals are fed an unnatural diet that is not beneficial for their intestinal makeup, and they're also given a variety of veterinary drugs and growth promoters. You don't want any of these potentially harmful additives in your broth, so make sure to start off with an organically-raised product.

Ingredients for homemade chicken broth⁹
1 whole free-range chicken or 2 to 3 pounds of bony chicken parts, such as necks, backs, breastbones, and wings
Gizzards from one chicken (optional)
2-4 chicken feet (optional)
4 quarts cold filtered water
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
1 bunch parsley

Please note the addition of vinegar. Not only are fats are ideally combined with acids like vinegar, but when it comes to making broth, the vinegar helps leech all those valuable minerals from the bones into the stockpot water, which is ultimately what you'll be eating. The goal is to extract as many minerals as possible out of the bones into the broth water. Bragg's raw apple cider vinegar is a good choice as it's unfiltered and unpasteurized.

Cooking Directions

There are lots of different ways to make bone broth, and there really isn't a wrong way. You can find different variations online. Here, I'll offer some basic directions. If you're starting out with a whole chicken, you'll of course have plenty of meat as well, which can be added back into the broth later with extra herbs and spices to make a chicken soup. I also use it on my salad.

1. Fill up a large stockpot (or large crockpot) with pure, filtered water. (A crockpot is recommended for safety reasons if you have to leave home while it's cooking.)
2. Add vinegar and all vegetables except parsley to the water.
3. Place the whole chicken or chicken carcass into the pot.
4. Bring to a boil, and remove any scum that rises to the top.
5. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and let simmer.
6. If cooking a whole chicken, the meat should start separating from the bone after about 2 hours. Simply remove the chicken from the pot and separate the meat from the bones. Place the carcass back into the pot and continue simmering the bones for another 12-24 hours and follow with step 8 and 9.
7. If cooking bones only, simply let them simmer for about 24 hours.
8. Fallon suggests adding the fresh parsley about 10 minutes before finishing the stock, as this will add healthy mineral ions to your broth.
9. Remove remaining bones from the broth with a slotted spoon and strain the rest through a strainer to remove any bone fragments.

Bone Broth—A Medicinal 'Soul Food'

Simmering bones over low heat for an entire day will create one of the most nutritious and healing foods there is. You can use this broth for soups, stews, or drink it straight. The broth can also be frozen for future use. Keep in mind that the "skin" that forms on the top is the best part. It contains valuable nutrients, such as sulfur, along with healthful fats, so just stir it back into the broth.
Bone broth used to be a dietary staple, as were fermented foods, and the elimination of these foods from our modern diet is largely to blame for our increasingly poor health, and the need for dietary supplements.
Both broth and fermented foods, such as fermented veggies, are simple and inexpensive to make at home, and both also allow you to make use of a wide variety of leftovers. When you add all the benefits together, it's hard to imagine a food that will give you more bang for your buck.

Biotin Improves Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Reposted from Life Extension

http://blog.lifeextension.com/2015/08/biotin-improves-multiple-sclerosis.html



by Maylin Rodriguez-Paez RN


Multiple sclerosis affects over two million people worldwide.¹

It’s a disease of the nervous system which results in symptoms such as loss of coordination, weakness, and paralysis. The exact cause is unknown.

Strong anti-inflammatory or immune-suppressing drugs are the standard treatments, but in advanced cases called progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), there are no effective treatments available.

A new study shows biotin may help cases of progressive multiple sclerosis. The research was discussed at the 2015 annual American Academy of Neurology meeting.

Biotin Improves Disability and Slows MS Progression

Biotin is a vitamin popularly known for its role in nail and hair health. It’s important for neurological function as well.

For the study, 154 people with progressive multiple sclerosis were recruited and assigned to receive a placebo or 300 mg of a patented form of biotin called MD1003 for 48 weeks.²

Previous research conducted by the same group of scientists showed that almost 90% of patients with MS improved after taking large doses of biotin. Symptoms were evaluated using an Expanded Disability Status Scale.

According to the results of the study, the biotin slowed the progression of the disease and there were slight improvements in disability scores. The biotin was well-tolerated. Improvements were seen in visual function, gait, coordination, fatigue, and speech.³

Biotin Supports Healthy Nerve Function

Biotin supports the formation of the myelin sheath, a fatty substance that insulates nerves. It also increases energy production for nerve cells. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by the loss of the myelin sheath.

Biotin deficiencies may result in muscle weakness, visual problems, and numbness and tingling of the extremities. For overall health, approximately 600 mcg are suggested daily.

Higher doses are tolerated well, since the vitamin is water soluble and does not accumulate in tissues of the human body.

References:

1. Available at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/MS-FAQ-s. Accessed May 28, 2015. 
2. Available at: http://www.abstracts2view.com/aan/view.php?nu=AAN15L1_PL2.002&terms=. Accessed May 28, 2015. 3. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2015 Mar;4(2):159-69.

The Recipes That Pissed Off the Pharmaceutical Industry

Reposted from Health and Love Page

http://www.healthandlovepage.com/recipes-pissed-off-pharmaceutical-industry/?t=HLP

The combination of honey and cinnamon was proved to cure most illnesses. Most countries throughout the world produce honey, and scientists all around the globe note it to be extremely effective medicine for all sorts of diseases.
Another advantage of honey, is that we can use it without any side effects. Modern science claim that although honey is sweet, it won’t affect diabetics when taken in the right dosage. Western scientists have researched the following facts.

Honey and Cinnamon Facts!

Heart Disease: Replace the jam and jelly and prepare a whole new breakfast by making honey and cinnamon powder paste, and spread it on toast. This paste decreases the cholesterol levels and has a potential to prevent heart attack. According to studies, even if you have already experienced an attack, this paste can keep the next one miles away from you. Heart beat can be as well strengthen by regular consumption of this honey cinnamon combination.


Different nursing homes in Canada and America have successfully treated their patients, and have discovered that honey and cinnamon mix revitalize the veins and arteries as one ages, and has problems with their flexibility and blockage.

Arthritis: Adding 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of hot water is extremely beneficial for people suffering from arthritis. It can cure even chronic arthritis if taken on a daily basis. A research that was conducted recently at the Copenhagen University discovered that out of 200 patients treated with a mix of 1 tbsp. of honey and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder prior to breakfast, 73 of them have completely eliminated the pain in the period of one week, and within a month, most of those who weren’t able to walk or move around due to arthritis, were now starting to walk with no pain.

Bladder Infections: Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon powder in a glass of lukewarm water. Consuming this mixture will kill the germs in the bladder.

Cholesterol: When a patient with cholesterol was given a mixture of 3 teaspoons of cinnamon powder and 2 tablespoons of honey added in 16oz of tea water, it decreased his/her cholesterol level by 10 % in a period of just 2 hours. Similar to patients with arthritis, regular consumption of this mixture (3 times a day) can cure any patient with chronic cholesterol. One journal says that if people take pure honey with food on a daily basis it will relieve cholesterol complaints.

Colds: Daily consumption of 1 tbsp. of lukewarm honey combined with ¼ spoon of cinnamon powder in the period of 3 days, will cure most colds, chronic coughs, and clear the sinuses. Moreover, it has excellent taste.

Upset Stomach: Honey combined with cinnamon powder cures stomach pain, and it is considered to thoroughly clear stomach ulcers.

Gas: Japanese and Indian studies showed that ingestion of honey and cinnamon powder mix relieves the stomach from gasses.

Immune System: Consuming this powerful combination of honey and cinnamon powder, boosts the immunity and protects the organism from viral and bacterial attacks. Honey was found to contain iron and various vitamins in large amounts. Regular intake of honey strengthens the white blood cells, which contain our DNA, to fight viral and bacterial diseases.

Indigestion: If you sprinkle some cinnamon powder on 2 tbsp. of honey and consume it before eating your meal, it will digest the heaviest meals and relieve acidity.

Influenza: A Spanish scientist has proved that there’s a natural ingredient contained in honey which destroys the influenza germs and prevents flu.

Longevity: Regular consumption of tea prepared with cinnamon powder and honey arrests the old age. Prepare the tea by adding 4 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder In 3 cups of boiling water. Consume ¼ cup of the tea, 3 to 4 times a day. It maintains your skin fresh and soft, and moreover it will increase your life span. It is said that even a 100 year old who consume the tea will begin doing the chores of a 20-year old.

Sore or Raspy Throat: Eat 1 tbsp. of honey and sip till it’s gone, whenever you feel your throat is becoming sore or raspy. Do this every 3 hours until you notice the symptoms are gone.

Pimples: A regular use of a paste prepared with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 3 tablespoons of honey can help you get rid of all pimples from the root within 2 weeks. Apply it on the pimples before you go to bed and rinse it with warm water the next morning.

Skin Infections: If you apply equal quantities of honey and cinnamon powder on the affected parts, it can cure ringworm, eczema, and other skin infections.

Weight Loss: Boil honey and cinnamon powder in a cup of water, and consume it twice a day, half an hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and once again at night before going to bed. If you take it regularly, it can lower the weight even of obese people. Moreover, regular consumption of this drink, prevents accumulation of fat in the body, although the person might eat a high calorie foods.

Cancer: Regular consumption of 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder can successfully cure advanced cancer of the bones and stomach, according to recent research in Australia and japan. Consume it 3 times a day, in the period of one month.

Fatigue: According to recent study, the sugar sustained in honey is more helpful than it’s harmful to the strength of our body. If senior citizens consume equal amounts of cinnamon powder and honey, they will be more flexible and alert. According to Dr. Milton’s research, daily consumption of a glass of water with ½ tablespoon of honey and a bit cinnamon powder, twice a day (in the morning and in the afternoon about 3 P.M), can increase the vitality within a week.

Bad Breath: Most people in South America use hot water with added 1 teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder as a gargle, in order to keep their breath fresh during the day.

Hearing Loss: Equal amounts of honey and cinnamon powder regularly consumed in the morning and before bed, restore healing.

Toothache: Prepare a paste of 5 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and apply it on the aching tooth. You can apply the paste 3 times a day, until the toothache completely stops.

Frankincense Oil: The 'King' of Oils

Reposted from Dr. Mercola

http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/frankincense-oil.aspx?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=facebookmercola_nonlead2&utm_campaign=20160602_frankincense-oil

Frankincense has a significant meaning in Christianity, and is believed to be one of the gifts offered by the three wise men to the newborn Jesus.

Today, this fragrant resin is transformed into an essential oil that's valued not only in religious practice, but also in aromatherapy and natural health. Read on to learn more about frankincense oil. 

What Is Frankincense Oil?

Frankincense, also known as olibanum,¹ comes from the Boswellia genustrees, particularly Boswellia sacra and Boswellia carteri. The milky white sap is extracted from the tree bark, allowed to harden into a gum resin for several days, and then scraped off in tear-shaped droplets.²

Boswellia trees grow in African and Arabian regions, including Yemen, Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia.³ Oman is the best known and most ancient source of frankincense, where it's been traded and shipped to other places like the Mediterranean, India, and China for thousands of years.⁴
The highest-quality frankincense is clear and silvery, but with a slight green tinge. Brown-yellow varieties are the cheapest and most readily available. In Oman, the best frankincense is usually reserved for the sultan and is rarely shipped out of the country.⁵

Frankincense is traditionally burned as incense, and was charred and ground into a powder to produce the heavy kohl eyeliner used by Egyptian women. Today, this resin is steam-distilled to produce an aromatic essential oil with many benefits.

Frankincense oil has a woody, earthy, spicy, and slightly fruity aroma, which is calming and relaxing. It's said to be sweeter, fresher, and cleaner than frankincense resin.⁶  

Uses of Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil has long been revered in the Middle East, where it's been used in religious ceremonies as an anointing oil for thousands of years. It is also a popular ingredient in cosmetics, and has even been found in the remains of Anglo-Saxons and ancient Egyptians.⁷

I believe that frankincense oil is one of the top essential oils you can use for your health. It's known for its comforting properties, and is useful for visualizing, improving one's spiritual connection, and helping overcome stress and despair.⁸

 In aromatherapy, frankincense oil is either inhaled or diffused via a vaporizer – a very effective sedative that induces a feeling of mental peace, relaxation, and satisfaction, and helps relieve anxiety, anger, and stress.⁹ 

Frankincense oil promotes healthy cell regeneration and keeps existing cells and tissues healthy. It's useful for skin health, and can help treat dry skin, reverse signs of aging, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars.¹⁰ Frankincense oil's astringent properties help:¹¹

• Strengthen gums and hair roots
• Stop wounds from bleeding
• Speed up the healing of cuts, acne, insect bites, and boils

Composition of Frankincense Oil

The main components of frankincense oil are ketonic alcohol (olibanol), resinous matters (30 to 60 percent) and terpenes such as a-and p-pinene, camphene, dipentene, and phellandrene.¹² It also contains alpha pinene, actanol, bornyl acetate, linalool, octyl acetate, incensole, and incensyl acetate.¹³

The monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are the most valuable elements of frankincense oil.  According to the book, "Reference Guide for Essential Oils," by Connie and Alan Higley, monoterpenes help prevent and discharge toxins from your liver and kidneys, and have antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, analgesic (weak), and expectorant properties.¹⁴

Meanwhile, sesquiterpenes can go beyond the blood-brain barrier and simulate the limbic system of your brain, as well as your hypothalamus, and pineal and pituitary glands.¹⁵

Benefits of Frankincense Oil

The health benefits of frankincense oil are mostly attributed to its anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, digestive, diuretic, and expectorant properties. It also has cicatrisant, carminative, cytophylactic, emenagogue, uterine, and vulnerary effects.
Frankincense oil is considered a tonic, as it benefits all the systems operating in the body, including the digestive, respiratory, nervous, and excretory systems. It also aids the absorption of nutrients and strengthens your immune system.¹⁶ Frankincense oil has been found useful for certain health conditions, such as:

• Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — Research by Cardiff University scientists found that frankincense can inhibit the production of key inflammatory molecules, helping prevent the breakdown of the cartilage tissue that causes these conditions.¹⁷
In addition, Indian frankincense or boswellin, also a member of the Boswellia genus, has been found to significantly reduce inflammation in animal studies. It is actually one of my personal favorites, as I have seen it work well as a natural painkiller for many of my former rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
• Colds and respiratory disorders — Frankincense oil can break up phlegm deposits in your respiratory tract and lungs, and can relieve bronchitis-related congestion.¹⁸
• Oral health problems — The antiseptic qualities of this oil can help prevent bad breath, cavities, toothaches, mouth sores, and other infections.¹⁹
• Digestive disorders — Frankincense oil speeds up the secretion of gastric juices, bile, and acids, and stimulates peristaltic motion to allow food to move properly through your intestines.²⁰
• Uterine health — Frankincense oil regulates estrogen production in women and reduces the risk of post-menopause tumor or cyst formation in the uterus (uterine cancer). It also regulates the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women.²¹

Frankincense is also being studied for its potential to treat cancer. Scientists have observed that there's an agent in this oil that may help stop cancer from spreading.²²

How to Make Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is made by steam-distilling the raw resin. When buying frankincense oil, make sure that you only choose 100 percent pure essential oil of the highest quality.

Also, do not confuse frankincense essential oil with fragrance oil. Essential oils come from plants, while fragrance oils are usually artificially created and often contain synthetic chemicals. Although they smell good and are typically less expensive, fragrance oils do not give you the therapeutic benefits of organic essential oils.²³

How Does Frankincense Oil Work?

The effects and benefits of frankincense oil can be acquired by applying it topically, inhaling it using a diffuser or vaporizer, or ingesting it in very small amounts.²⁴ For pain relief, simply massage the oil onto the affected areas. Meanwhile, using a diffuser or inhaler works for treating colds and clearing up respiratory blockages. You can also sprinkle a few drops on a clean cloth and inhale the scent, or add it to your bathwater for a rejuvenating soak.²⁵ 

Frankincense oil can be directly applied to the skin or blended with other carrier oils such as jojoba, sweet almond, avocado, patchouli, rosemary, clary sage, citrus, and basil oils.

Is Frankincense Oil Safe?

Yes, frankincense is generally safe. However, I advise doing a spot test first, to check if you have any sensitivity to this oil. When taking frankincense oil internally, it's best to dilute a drop in an edible carrier oil (like coconut oil), a teaspoon of honey, or a glass of purified water or any non-acidic, non-dairy beverage.²⁶ You can also put a drop or two under your tongue.²⁷ However, ingesting this oil is not recommended for children ages 6 and below. Older children and teens may also require higher dilutions.

You must also remember that not all frankincense oil brands are made for internal use, so make sure you check the label before taking it.

Side Effects of Frankincense Oil

There are no reported severe side effects of using this oil.²⁸ However, in some rare cases, frankincense oil can cause skin rashes, gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, stomach pain, and hyperacidity. It also has blood thinning effects, and may increase the risk of abnormal bleeding in people with a bleeding disorder or taking anticoagulant medications.²⁹

Frankincense essential oil is also not recommended for pregnant women and nursing moms, as it acts as an emenagogue and may induce menstruation, which may be dangerous for an unborn fetus.³⁰