Five Reasons to Start Using More Mint

When you think of mint, you probably don’t think about it as a natural medicine. Yet for centuries, healers have used this common plant to treat a number of conditions. And that’s because there are some major health benefits to using fresh mint. It’s a viable solution to a variety of unpleasant—sometimes even embarrassing—health conditions.

June 13th, 2014

Here are five reasons to start using more mint:

1. Prevent Common Colds: Mint has one of the highest antioxidant counts of any food. And antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage and inflammation. They also provide your immune system with a boost that can help it fight off a cold or flu. But if you already have a cold, mint can help with that as well.

One of peppermint’s active ingredients is menthol. This natural decongestant helps thin mucous. It also helps break up your cough. Another benefit is that mint can help soothe the sore throat that comes with a dry cough. Drinking organic peppermint tea is a great way to help you get immediate relief when dealing with a nasty cold.

2. Ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS can be embarrassing… Even worse, it’s painful. Instead of turning to dangerous Big Pharma solutions—like SSRIs—to fix the problem, try natural peppermint oil. One study found that peppermint oil eliminated pain completely in IBS patients. Another study revealed that it reduced IBS symptoms by at least 50% after only one month in 75% of subjects.4 You can find natural peppermint oil in capsules for daily use at your local health food store or online.

3. Alleviate Allergies: Most mint plants are rich in rosmarinic acid (RA). This antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Unlike OTC antihistamines, RA doesn’t just help stop the reaction, it also helps kill allergy-activated immune cells. And it does this without harming your other immune cells.5 Patients in one study saw a significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines in their nasal fluids after taking 200 mg of RA for 21 days.6

You can get RA from eating fresh mint varieties or brewing whole-leaf mint tea. You can also find it as a supplement in health stores and online.

4. Relieve Occasional Indigestion: Mint—especially peppermint—can also help you when you eat something you shouldn’t have. It helps improve the flow of stomach acids and bile. This may make digestion faster and easier.7 Peppermint may even help you feel less full and bloated. It can also ease heartburn and mild gastrointestinal spasms.8

Just make sure not to use this if you suffer from chronic acid reflux or GERD. Though mint can be cooling, it can quickly turn to a painful burning if you already have esophageal damage.

5. Soothe Skin: One of the worst parts of summer is dealing with mosquito bites. You can apply mint leaves or oil directly to your skin. This will help stop itching and ease irritation. Fresh mint can even work as a natural mosquito repellant.9 But it goes beyond bug bites. It may also help you clear up rashes and other skin reactions. If you’re the outdoorsy type, mint can help your skin get relief from poison ivy and poison oak.10

Whether you grow your own or keep some in your cupboard, mint is a great herb to have on hand. It’s a refreshing natural solution to some unpleasant and annoying health issues. And these are just a few of them… Our publisher finds that rubbing peppermint oil on her temples works wonders for a headache. What other uses have you found for mint?

References:
1http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/275944.php
2http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/superfoods-fight-colds
3https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint
4http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17420159
5http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/nov2004_report_allergy_01.htm
6http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630183
7Idem
8http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/705.html
9http://www.ahamodernliving.com/blog/garden/five-plants-that-keep-mosquitoes-from-buzzing-in-your-ears/
10Id.

http://institutefornaturalhealing.com/2014/06/five-reasons-to-start-using-more-mint/

Colon Cleansing Foods and Herbs

Mint

 

The 12 Greatest Disease-Fighting Foods

food remedies

From arthritis to motion sickness, food remedies are hiding all over your kitchen. Keep these 12 handy for whatever life throws at you.

 

Food Remedies for Every Ailment

The most harmful and deadly diseases plaguing America today are caused by food—cheap, low-quality processed foods high in sugar, fat, salt, genetically modified ingredients—and pesticides. But when you reach for whole, nutrient-dense, organic foods, you get a food-remedy tool kit that not only will ward off cancer and heart disease, but also colds, flu, allergies, and a host of other ailments that plague us every day.

With so many great healing foods out there, it's hard to choose just 12, but if you stock your kitchen with a plentiful supply of these staples, recommended in The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods by James A. Duke, PhD (Rodale, 2009), you'll ward off everything from cancer and colds to arthritis and menopause.

Beans

Beans are the cheapest healthy food you can buy, and their high isoflavone content wards off heart disease, improves bone and prostate health, and eases some symptoms of menopause. Being low in fat and high in protein, beans are easy swaps for red meat, so add them to soups, stews, dips, and even pasta sauces (pureed white beans can be used as a substitute for high-fat Alfredo sauces). Nutrient-wise, it doesn't make much difference if you use dried or canned, though canned beans can contain high levels of salt and often come packaged in cans lined with harmful bisphenol A. We like Eden Organics canned beans, which contain very little added salt and are packaged in BPA-free cans.

 

Garlic and Onions

Members of the same plant family, garlic and onions do so many things for your heart and immune system, it's hard to list them all. Garlic's 70 active phytochemicals may decrease high blood pressure by as much as 30 points, and it lowers rates of ovarian, colorectal, and other cancers, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Onions are the single best source of quercitin, a flavonoid shown to keep your blood healthy and prevent clots. Both are must-haves for natural allergy prevention. To boost garlic's health effects, be sure to crush the cloves and let them stand for up to 30 minutes before heating them. Most of an onion's nutrition is in the skins, so Duke suggests putting the skins in a mesh bag and allowing them to steep in soups or sauces.

 

Caffeinators

Addicted to coffee? In love with chocolate? That's good. Caffeinated foods, including coffee, chocolate, and tea, have high levels of polyphenols, dubbed "super" antioxidants for their ability to fight everything from cancer to depression. A Harvard University study even found that drinking five cups of coffee daily cuts the risk of developing diabetes in half. That much coffee could give you the jitters, though, so most experts recommend limiting intake to two cups a day, or switching to decaf. Whether you prefer tea or coffee, studies seem to suggest that decaf versions contain just as many antioxidants as the regular stuff. And, of course, dark chocolate is better than sugary milk chocolate or white; check out our organic chocolate taste test results for the best organic, Fair Trade brands.

 

Celery

Next time you need a crunchy afternoon snack, reach for the celery, not the carrot sticks. Rich in minerals, vitamin C, and phenolic acids, it wards off cancer, cold and flu, and allergies. Compounds called phthalides make it a good cholesterol-lowering food remedy, too. The more the better, most research suggests. Duke says to eat at least four stalks a day. Because its flavor is relatively mild, you can dress it up with peanut butter or use it in place of chips or crackers for your favorite dip. Celery is also one of the rare veggies that don't lose nutritional value when cooked, so add lots of it to stocks, soups, and casseroles. Use the leaves, as well, because they're rich in calcium and more vitamin C.

 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon's most notable and studied benefit to the immune system has been its ability to lower blood sugar. A U.S. Department of Agriculture study found that the Christmas-y spice could lower blood sugar by 13 to 23 percent. The author of that study suspected that had to do with cinnamon's antioxidants, which activate insulin receptors in your cells. A German study showed that it could suppress Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, the cause of most urinary tract infections, and Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections. Duke adds that friends of his have successfully quit smoking by sucking on cinnamon sticks whenever they had the urge to smoke. Add a teaspoon to your morning oatmeal or to a glass of organic apple cider.

 

Citrus Fruits

The stars of the fall and winter fruit season, citrus fruits contain close to 200 cancer-fighting compounds, cholesterol-lowering fiber, and inflammation-lowering flavonoids. An Australian review of 48 studies on diet and cancer found that consuming a daily serving of citrus fruit may cut your risk of mouth, throat, and stomach cancer by up to one half. Grapefruits are also high in lycopene, a cancer-fighter usually found in tomatoes, which are out of season when grapefruit is at its peak. To get the most benefit, eat your fruit whole, not in the form of juices, so you also get all the valuable fiber. Many of the healthy compounds hide in the rinds, too, so use citrus marmalades, which contain bits of the rinds, and use the zests of oranges, tangerines, and lemons in your cooking.

 

Ginger

Though widely used as an effective antidote to queasiness, it can also keep cholesterol levels under control, lower blood pressure, and help ease the inflammation associated with arthritis. Researchers have also found that ginger helps kill the influenza virus, plus it helps the immune system fight infection. A study at the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Miami found that ginger extract significantly reduced pain related to osteoarthritis of the knee. About an ounce a day will bring benefits, Duke says. Using it in stir-fry dishes or meat marinades will give you enough to help. You can also grate gingerroot and steep it in hot boiling water to make an herbal tea.

Mints

Forget the mints your associate with gum or mouthwash. There are actually hundreds of plants in the mint family that you may have never realized were technically classified as mints, including basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender, sage, and lemon balm. When used in teas, these herbs can soothe an upset stomach, but emerging research suggests that their individual compounds can prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps keep your memory sharp.

Peppers

Whether hot and spicy or sweet and crunchy, there are enough peppers out there to suit anyone's taste, and they're all equally healthy for you. Spicy chile peppers have high levels of capsaicin, which interferes with your mind's pain receptors, and therefore act as natural painkillers. Capsaicin, which gives peppers their heat, has also been found to aid in weight loss by keeping your metabolism in check. Sweet peppers have a similar compound called dihydrocapsiate that comes without the spicy kick of capsaicin but with the same effects on pain and weight loss. The also contain loads of vitamin C and beta-carotene. Toss a few spicy peppers into your next batch of tacos or Asian stir-fry; bell peppers retain most of their vitamins when eaten raw.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates have been used for centuries in the Middle East, Iran, and India as a folk remedy, Duke writes, and for good reason. They're a good source of potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants that ward off cancer. They could also help fight Alzheimer's disease. Loma Linda University researchers discovered that mice that consumed pomegranate juice experienced 50 percent less brain degeneration than animals that drank sugar-water. A final benefit? Pace University researchers found that pomegranate juice can kill the S. mutans bacteria, one of the main causes of cavities. Pomegranate juice is a good way to get the most out of these sometimes-messy fruits, as manufacturers use the entire fruit, as opposed to just the edible seeds.

 

Turmeric

A relative of ginger, turmeric is the spice that gives curries their vivid golden hue and yellow mustard its bright color. For thousands of years, people in India have considered turmeric a healing herb. Studies show that it protects the stomach, helping to prevent ulcers, and it aids in the digestion of fats. The spice may also fight Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have found that elderly villagers in India appear to have the world's lowest rate of the disease, possibly because of the anti-inflammatory compound curcumin in turmeric. Incorporate turmeric onto your chicken, turkey, rice, or vegetables to get used to the different taste. Duke suggests sprinkling it on cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and kale.
 

Walnuts

Few foods are better for your brain than walnuts. They're a great source of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that curbs your appetite, as well as vitamin E, magnesium, folate, protein, and fiber. Walnuts boast more heart-healthy omega-3 fats than salmon, making them a good antidote to seasonal depression. This wonder nut is also packed with anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Many of the compounds in walnuts, such as vitamin B5 and folic acid, can be destroyed by heat, so it's best to eat them raw. If you find them too bitter to eat whole, use them in place of pine nuts in your pesto or grind them up and sprinkle them over cooked vegetables. 

Source: http://www.rodale.com/best-foods-fight-disease

The Healing Pharmacy In Your Garden

Dr. Isaac Eliaz | Apr 13, 2012 | Comments 6

For countless years, traditional healers have taught the benefits of easing illness with a healthy lifestyle and the use of herbs and botanicals. But don’t think you have to get all your herbs from a jar. Many remarkable healing herbs are growing in your yard. Herbs and spices can be picked a few steps from your front door and used to perk up your cooking and your health.

Medicinal Plants

Today, it’s easy to forget that some of the most beneficial medicinal plants can be found growing in our own backyards. Some are considered pesky weeds even though they are valuable herbs.

While Western medicine relies heavily on prescription drugs, most practitioners of Eastern medicine disciplines, as well as traditional naturopathic doctors and herbalists, consider many herbs and botanicals to be safer — and sometimes more effective — alternatives. As an integrative medical doctor and natural product formulator, I base much of my clinical practice and my formulations on the use of all-natural nutrients, herbs and botanicals which promote health via numerous mechanisms of action. Using medicinal herbs and botanicals in their whole, natural form allows you to benefit from the synergistic effects of complex chemical components such as antioxidants and phytonutrients, as they occur in nature. Surround your home and fill your gardens with healing herbs and plants, and support your health from multiple angles.

Here are some commonly grown herbs and botanicals which offer powerful health benefits.

Thyme

Thyme contains potent therapeutic essential oils and compounds and is considered one of nature’s most powerful antibiotic, antifungal and antimicrobial plants. Thyme is most commonly taken as a tea, and has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes throughout the centuries. As a decongestant, it is useful in the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis, whooping cough and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. It is a powerful agent for boosting immunity and treating various types of infections. Thyme tea can also help relieve headaches and menstrual pain, and helps alleviate digestive issues.

Garlic

Garlic contains a number of active components, including allicin, alliinase and sulfur compounds, which contribute to its potent antibiotic, antiviral and fungicidal properties. These components make garlic highly potent in protecting against infection, lowering high blood pressure, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and boosting the immune system. Garlic can effectively protect blood cells and blood vessels from inflammatory and oxidative stress, and can naturally decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Garlic’s diverse cardiovascular benefits derive from its sulfur compounds and its high levels of vitamin C and vitamin B6. Vitamin C is a vital antioxidant that protects against damage to blood vessel walls and reduces levels of oxidizing free radicals in the bloodstream. Vitamin B6 lowers levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can damage blood vessel walls. Garlic is also a sulfur agent helpful for the removal of toxins and heavy metals from the body.

Mint

In addition to carrying a distinct, pleasing fragrance, mint is a cooling herb that can settle the digestive tract or decrease the severity and length of stomach aches and digestive discomfort. The herb can be added to teas, salads or eaten raw to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, hinder the growth of harmful bacteria in the stomach and reduce inflammation of the digestive tract. Mint is highly useful for clearing congestion of the nose, throat and lungs, helping to provide relief of respiratory distress in people with asthma, colds or allergies.

Cilantro

Cilantro is a popular Mediterranean herb whose leaves and seeds (known as coriander) contain powerful compounds known to efficiently remove heavy metals and other toxic agents from the body. The compounds in this herb bind to heavy metals, loosen them from the tissues, blood and organs, and then assist in transporting these toxins out of the body through the body’s organs of elimination. Cilantro is naturally rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber, helping to reduce LDL or “bad cholesterol,” while increasing HDL or “good cholesterol.” The plant’s leaves and stems contain an abundance of polyphenolic flavonoids like quercetin, which have been shown to modulate proteins linked to cell survival and healthy cellular growth/behavior.

Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the cruciferous vegetables, a group of plants including cabbage, collards, cauliflower and kale, that offer powerful health benefits. Broccoli is high in vitamin C, and is a natural source of critical compounds that support health like DIM and indole-3-carbinol. These and other phytonutrients in broccoli help boost immunity, increase DNA repair, protect cardiovascular health, fight against cancer growth and proliferation, and support overall health and wellness. Your mother was right to urge you to “Eat your broccoli!”

Ginger

Ginger has long been used to relieve gastrointestinal issues like nausea, indigestion and infection. Studies show that compounds called gingerols, naturally present in the ginger plant, have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Fighting inflammation is perhaps the most critical quality of ginger’s natural healing properties, since chronic inflammation is the precursor to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Ginger is a warming herb that promotes circulation, heat and sweating, helping to clear your body’s systems of toxic buildup and fight infections. Ginger is hearty and can grow outside of its native tropical climate. But if you live in a colder area, simply keep it in a pot and bring it indoors during winter to avoid freezing.

Easy To Grow

There are numerous common herbs, botanicals, fruits and vegetables that can be easily grown from seeds or starters, and provide a multitude of health benefits, especially when eaten fresh. Turning to your garden for safe and natural plant-based remedies is a simple, eco-friendly and affordable way to maintain health and vitality, while building immunity and preventing many common illnesses. Spring is the perfect time of year to cultivate a healing garden, and nurture your blossoming health. For more practical information on all-natural remedies, visit http://www.dreliaz.org/.

http://www.easyhealthoptions.com/alternative-medicine/the-healing-pharmacy-in-your-garden/

Grow your own medicine

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It's natural to pop a few pills when you feel an illness coming on, but instead of raiding the medicine cabinet to ease your symptoms, why not forage for medicine in your own back garden? You should still consult your GP or another medical pratictioner, but let MSN Him show you what could already be of use in your garden.

Sometimes there is a fine line between food and medicine; many plants contain the same active ingredients as over-the-counter drugs and it is therefore possible to cure a number of everyday ailments by eating the nutrient-rich produce that can be easily grown at home.

Chillies

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Growing your own spicy chillies at home is surprisingly simple

Growing your own spicy chillies at home is surprisingly simple, especially during the warm summer months, and the legion of health benefits means it's definitely worth giving them a go. Though red hot chilli peppers often make us feel like our mouths are on fire, these fiery fruits (yes, they're fruits rather than vegetables) actually contain a nutrient which is brilliant at fighting inflammation. Capsaicin gives chillies their famous spiciness, but it also inhibits the neuropeptides associated with the inflammatory process. The hotter the chilli, the more capsaicin it contains - so remember to man up and don't hold back on the spice!

On Bing: all about chilli varieties

Sage

Getting a bit forgetful in your old age? Regardless of how many candles you have on your next birthday cake, sage is well-known for its adeptness at improving brain function and preventing memory loss. Plus, it tastes great when liberally sprinkled on pastas and other dishes. As well as its memory-enhancing powers, sage is also packed with flavonoids and phenolic acids, and has been linked with antiseptic and antifungal properties. It's therefore good for warding off sores, ulcers and infections in cuts and other wounds.

On Bing: sage recipes

Echinacea

What do you do when you feel a cold coming on? Down a honey and lemon drink, swallow paracetamol or inhale menthol? Though these medicines do work, you may be overlooking a possible cure which is already growing in your garden. Numerous studies have shown that taking echinacea at the first sign of a cold or flu can significantly decrease the duration and intensity of symptoms. The root is easy to harvest and dry, but you can also take this wonder-plant via a tincture or tablet, which you can buy from your local health food store or chemist.

On Bing: what does echinacea look like?

Garlic

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Garlic has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties

We think of garlic as a crop that is mostly harvested in countries with a warmer climate than ours, but in fact it's relatively easy to grow right here in the UK. What's more, eating it regularly gives you more than just bad breath. The 'stinking rose', as it is affectionately known, has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties (eat a raw clove when you first notice the symptoms of a cold and you'll be right as rain the following morning) and high intake of garlic has even been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

On MSN Him: are you suffering from a modern malement?

Thyme

This fragrant herb has long been prized for its healing qualities, particularly for the treatment of chest and respiratory problems such as coughs, infections and bronchitis. It's thought that the volatile oils in thyme (delicious in stews and casseroles, by the way) act as a powerful antibacterial. Perhaps more importantly, these oils have also been shown to prevent cell damage, meaning you may be less likely to suffer from premature ageing. Finally, thyme is also an excellent source of dietary fibre, so it will also help keep your digestive system healthy.

On MSN Him: eat yourself slimmer

Rosemary

Not just a perfect partner for lamb, rosemary is also closely associated with good health. The nutrients in the herb are full to the gunnels with nutrients that stimulate the immune system, boost blood flow, improve concentration levels and protect your digestive system. Rosemary is also a well-known anti-inflammatory, is thought to lessen the severity of asthma attacks and is an analgesic, so can help with pain relief.

On MSN Him: eat yourself younger

Tomatoes

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It's suprisingly easy to grow vegetables and herbs in a small plot, with health benefits

They can take a frustratingly long time to grow and ripen, but once your tomatoes are ready for picking, you'll be able to make the most of a long, long list of health benefits. Perhaps more than any other fruit or vegetable, tomatoes contain a brimful of nutrients, including the antioxidant lycopene, which has been strongly linked with cancer prevention, and beta-carotenes to keep the inside of your colon in silky-smooth condition. Tomatoes are also rich in vitamin C (which the body is unable to produce on its own) and vitamin K, which is essential for bone health.

On Bing: in pictures, Tomatina, the world's biggest tomato festival

Mint

Easy to grow in your herb garden, mint is famous for its ability to settle a dodgy stomach, a common side-effect of the dehydration caused by all that exercise we know you're doing. The natural oils in peppermint leaves are thought to act as a muscle relaxant, making it easier for waste to pass through your system and reducing the risk of spasm. The rosmarinic acid in mint, meanwhile, helps to keep the airways open, which is why menthol is used to treat colds and flu. And no, drinking mojitos doesn't count.

Tom Fontaine, contributor, MSN Him, 21/09/2011 09:40

http://him.uk.msn.com/health-and-fitness/grow-your-own-medicine