Science shows these herbal power-healers can help ease pain, prevent Alzheimer's, and ward off cancer and heart disease Your a...
Science
shows these herbal power-healers can help ease pain, prevent Alzheimer's, and
ward off cancer and heart disease
Your arsenal of home remedies is about to get a lot spicier with
these best healing herbs. Though herbs have been used for hundreds of years to
heal, scientists are finally starting to substantiate these plants' abilities
to alleviate arthritis pain, reduce high blood sugar and cholesterol, and help
with many other conditions. They're even discovering amazing new powers in the
best healing herbs, such as the ability to kill cancer cells and help problem
drinkers curb their alcohol intake.
"Herbs and other natural remedies can be as effective as
traditional treatments, often without the same negative side effects,"
says Roberta Lee, MD, medical director of the Continuum Center for Health and
Healing at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.
Here are 10
superhealers you'll want to add to the all-natural section of your medicine
cabinet—and even to your favorite recipes. Folding one or two of them into your
cooking every day can yield big benefits.
Turmeric: Ease arthritis
A heaping helping of curry could relieve your pain. That's because turmeric, a spice used in curry, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that works similarly to Cox-2 inhibitors, drugs that reduce the Cox-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis, says Lee.
A heaping helping of curry could relieve your pain. That's because turmeric, a spice used in curry, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that works similarly to Cox-2 inhibitors, drugs that reduce the Cox-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis, says Lee.
It might also: Prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease.According to a
small clinical trial conducted by the Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, curcumin can help shrink precancerous lesions known as colon polyps,
when taken with a small amount of quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in
onions, apples, and cabbage. The average number of polyps dropped more than 60%
and those that remained shrank by more than 50%. In a 2006 study published in
the Journal of Alzheimer's
Disease, researchers at UCLA also found that curcumin helps clear
the brain of the plaques that are characteristic of the disease.
Maximize the benefits: For general health,
Lee recommends adding the spice to your cooking whenever possible. For a
therapeutic dose, James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy, suggests
400 mg of curcumin extract three times daily, right in line with what subjects
in the colon polyp study took (480 mg of curcumin and 20 mg of quercetin, three
times a day).
Cinnamon: Lower blood sugar
In a recent German study of type 2 diabetics, taking cinnamon extract daily
successfully reduced blood sugar by about 10%.
It might also: Lower cholesterol. Cinnamon
packs a one-two punch for people with type 2 diabetes by reducing related heart
risks. In another study of diabetics, it slashed cholesterol by 13% and
triglycerides by 23%.
Maximize the benefits: To tame blood sugar,
study subjects took 1 g capsules of standardized cinnamon extract daily, while
those in the cholesterol study took 1 to 6 g. But keep in mind that a large
amount of the actual spice can be dangerous, so stick with a water-soluble
extract. Terry Graedon, PhD, coauthor with her husband, Joe, of Best Choices from the People's Pharmacy,
recommends the brand Cinnulin PF.
Rosemary: Avoid carcinogens
Frying, broiling, or grilling meats at high temperatures creates HCAs
(heterocyclic amines), potent carcinogens implicated in several cancers. But
HCA levels are significantly reduced when rosemary extract (a common powder) is
mixed into beef before cooking, say Kansas State University researchers.
"Rosemary contains carnosol and rosemarinic acid, two powerful
antioxidants that destroy the HCAs," explains lead researcher J. Scott
Smith, PhD.
It might also: Stop tumors. Rosemary extract
helps prevent carcinogens that enter the body from binding with DNA, the first
step in tumor formation, according to several animal studies. When researchers
at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign fed rosemary extract to rats
exposed to dimethylbenzanthracene, a carcinogen that causes breast cancer,
both DNA damage and tumors decreased. "Human research needs to be
done," says study author Keith W. Singletary, PhD. "But rosemary has
shown a lot of cancer-protective potential."
Maximize the benefits: To reduce HCAs, Smith
recommends marinating foods in any supermarket spice mix that contains rosemary
as well as one or more of the spices thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, or
parsley.
Ginger: Avert nausea
Ginger can prevent stomach upset from many
sources, including pregnancy, motion sickness, and chemotherapy. "This is one of Mom's remedies that really
works," says Suzanna M. Zick, ND, MPH, a research investigator at the
University of Michigan. A powerful antioxidant, ginger works by blocking the
effects of serotonin, a chemical produced by both the brain and stomach when
you're nauseated, and by stopping the production of free radicals, another
cause of upset in your stomach. In one study of cruise ship passengers
traveling on rough seas, 500 mg of ginger every 4 hours was as effective as
Dramamine, the commonly used OTC motion-sickness medication. In another study,
where subjects took 940 mg, it was even more effective than the drug.
Maximize the benefits: For nausea,
ginger is best taken before symptoms start, at least 30 minutes before
departure, say the Graedons. They recommend capsules containing 500 to 1,000 mg
of dried ginger every four hours, up to a maximum of 4g daily.
Holy Basil: Combat stress
Several animal studies back holy basil, a special variety of the plant you use
in your pesto sauce, as effective at reducing stress by increasing adrenaline
and noradrenaline and decreasing serotonin. This is no surprise to Pratima
Nangia-Makker, PhD, a researcher at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
in Detroit, whose mother and grandmother relied on a tea made from the leaves
of holy basil to relieve indigestion and headaches.
It might also: Inhibit breast cancer. First in test
tubes and then in mice, a tea made of holy basil shrunk tumors, reduced their
blood supply, and stopped their spread, found Nangia-Makker, who plans to study
the effects in humans.
Maximize the benefits: For stress relief,
try holy basil extract from New Chapter or Om Organics, widely available in
health food stores. To aid in breast cancer treatment, Nangia-Makker advises
drinking this tea daily: Pour 2 cups boiling water over 10 to 15 fresh holy
basil leaves (other varieties of basil won't work) and steep 5 minutes. Remove
the leaves before consuming. If you are being treated for breast cancer, be
sure to check with your doctor. You're unlikely to find the plants at your
local nursery, but you can order them and organic holy basil seeds from Horizon
Herbs.
St. John's Wort: Soothe your worries
You probably know that research has confirmed this herb's power to relieve mild
to moderate depression and anxiety as effectively as many drugs—without a lot
of the side effects.
It might also: Help you snooze more soundly. St. John's
wort not only contains melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake
cycles, but it also increases the body's own melatonin, improving sleep, says a
report from the Surgeon General. (These 20 ways to sleep better every
night can also help.)
Maximize the benefits: For both mood and
sleep problems, author Duke recommends a supplement containing at least 0.3% hypericin
(the active phytochemical) per capsule or 300 mg of the extract to be taken
three times daily. Warning: St. John's wort has been shown to interact with
several prescription medications, so be sure to check with your doctor before
taking it.
Garlic: Lower cancer risk
High consumption of garlic lowered rates of ovarian, colorectal, and other
cancers, says a research review in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A Japanese clinical trial also found
that after a year of taking aged garlic extract supplements, people with a
history of colon polyps saw a reduction in the size and number of the
precancerous growths detected by their doctors.
It might also: Provide cardiovascular benefits. Garlic contains
more than 70 active phytochemicals, including allicin, which many studies have
shown decreases high blood pressure by as much as 30 points. Garlic
may help prevent strokes as well by slowing arterial blockages, according to a
yearlong clinical study at UCLA. In addition, patients' levels of homocysteine,
a chemical that leads to plaque buildup, dropped by 12%.
Maximize the benefits: Crushed fresh garlic offers
the best cardiovascular and cancer-fighting benefits, says Duke. But you'll
need to down up to five cloves each day. Try Kyolic aged garlic extract
capsules (1,000 mg), the product used in many of the studies.
3 More Superhealers You Should Know About
1. Andrographis: Shorten
Summer Colds Andrographis does a great job of relieving
upper-respiratory infections, such as colds or sinusitis, says new research. A
study in the journal Phytomedicinereported
that the herb eased symptoms such as fatigue, sleeplessness, sore throat, and
runny nose up to 90%.
Maximize the benefits: Lee and the Graedons recommend Kan Jang (available at ProActive BioProducts), an herbal extract produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute and used in several of the trials.
Maximize the benefits: Lee and the Graedons recommend Kan Jang (available at ProActive BioProducts), an herbal extract produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute and used in several of the trials.
2. Sea Buckthorn: Reverse vaginal dryness Sea
buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is very effective for hydrating mucous
membranes and alleviating vaginal dryness. It contains palmitoleic acid, a
fatty acid found in human skin that helps moisturize and heal it.
Maximize the benefits: Lee suggests up to four capsules a day of Supercritical Omega 7, a sea buckthorn supplement by New Chapter. It's available at health food stores.
Maximize the benefits: Lee suggests up to four capsules a day of Supercritical Omega 7, a sea buckthorn supplement by New Chapter. It's available at health food stores.
3. Kudzu: Curb problem drinking A group of moderately
heavy drinkers in their 20s voluntarily cut their beer consumption in half
after taking capsules containing the Chinese herb (also called Pueraria lobata) for a week,
according to a study published in Alcoholism:
Clinical and Experimental Research. Researchers say the kudzu more
quickly allows alcohol to get to the part of the brain that tells you that
you've had enough.
Maximize the benefits: Participants took capsules with 500 mg of kudzu extract three times daily.
Maximize the benefits: Participants took capsules with 500 mg of kudzu extract three times daily.
When the flu bites, when the cold stings…
these are a few of my least favorite things… Fortunately, some cases of illness
can be easily prevented, and even once an illness has struck, natural and
herbal remedies can help shorten the duration and get you feeling better
faster. I posted before about what I keep in my medicine cabinet (and in
my purse when traveling), but since we are getting in to the heat.. er, cold,
of flu season, I thought more information could be helpful.
Cold and Flu Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure… you’ve heard it a million times, but how does it practically relate to
illness prevention? In short, giving the body what it needs and keeping a
constant supply of nutrients will help ensure that the body can resist any
pathogen it encounters. Following a basic Wellness Lifestyle will go a
long way toward preventing illness, as you will be supporting the body to
function optimally. Avoiding grains, sugars and other highly starchy foodswill
also ensure that the body is functioning at peak immunity should it encounter a
virus or bacteria. Some studies show that optimizing vitamin D goes a
long way to preventing illness and shortening duration. Getting enough
sleep is also crucial to preventing illness, and even a couple nights of
interrupted or not enough sleep can leave the body worn down and unable to resist
illness. Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce the number of
times a person gets ill per year and the duration. But I’m sure you are already
doing all that… so in the off chance you are doing all of the above and you
still get sick, don’t worry- there are natural ways to heal faster!
Natural Remedies for Cold, Flu,
& Illness
Once you or your child has contracted an
illness, there are a lot of natural options that can shorten the duration of
the illness and lessen the symptoms. I’ve included my whole bag of tricks
below, so pick and choose what works for you. I get all my herbs that I don’t
grow myself from Mountain Rose Herbs, though there are a lot of places
that carry them. Just look for organically grown herbs and make sure they are
fresh.
Home Remedies from Things
Already In Your House
1.
Garlic–
A powerhouse natural antibiotic, anti fungal, and antibacterial, garlic can
tackle almost any illness. For the most potent effect, finely mince 1-2 cloves
or garlic and float in a small glass of water. Drink quickly- if you are sick
enough, you won’t even notice the taste. Note: Pregnant women should not take
more than 1 clove of garlic medicinally per day, and children often resist this
remedy.
2.
Hydrogen Peroxide–
At the first sign of cold, flu, sinus infection, or ear infection, put a
dropper full of hydrogen peroxide into each ear. Have the person lie still with
the hydrogen peroxide in the ear until it stops bubbling. Do this on both
sides. This is especially effective for kids. Repeat every few hours until
infection is gone.
3.
Hot Liquids–
This one is pretty instinctive, but load up on the hot herbal teas and hot
lemon water at first sign of illness. The heat helps boost immune system and a
variety of herbs can help with infection.
4.
Cinnamon–
Good for more than just stabilizing blood sugar, cinnamon is an effective
antiviral and antibiotic. When sick, mix 1 tablespoon with 1 teaspoon of honey
and stir to make a spicy and very effective tea that helps relieve cough and
congestion and lower fever.
5.
Face Steam–
In a pinch, this can be made with kitchen herbs. Boil 1-2 cups of water in a
large pot. Remove from heat, add 2 teaspoons each of thyme, rosemary and oregano.
Cover for 5 minutes with a lid, and then remove lid and put face directly over
pot with towel covering your head to hold in the heat. Breathe in the steam as
long as you can, aim for 15 minutes. This will help loosen congestion and kill
viruses and bacteria in the lungs, bronchials or sinuses. Alternately, you can
use 1/2 cup vinegar in the steam. It won’t smell great, but it will help fight
the illness.
6.
Remove White Foods–
At the first sign of illness, completely remove all white foods from the diet.
This includes grains, sugars, milk, cheese, dairy, sweeteners, soda, etc. These
foods suppress immune function and slow the body’s healing ability. When you
are ill, you don’t actually need to eat a lot of food, as the body needs to
focus more on healing than digestion. Eat fresh chicken soup and drink hot
liquids to keep strength up.
7.
Hydrate and Rest–
If the body is running a fever (which means it is fighting the illness) the
best support you can give is to stay well hydrated on water and herbal teas and
to rest enough. The body needs several extra hours of rest a day when ill, and
often several extra glasses of water also. If you are running a fever, it is
easier to get dehydrated, so drink enough water!
Herbs to Help
Remedy Cold and Flu
There are many herbs that support the body
when healing from an illness. I recommend buying these from a trusted source
online or growing them yourself, though you can find some of them at supplement
stores.
1.
Nettle Leaf– Some
natural doctors say this is the only herb needed for illness treatment. It
contains large amounts of vitamins and trace minerals and helps the body stay
hydrated and remove toxins. In a tea with Red Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa and
Peppermint, it makes a powerful immune supporting and illness preventing
remedy.
2.
Elderberry–
Elderberry is well known for supporting the body, especially during flu. You can
find conventionally made elderberry syrups at many stores now, or to save
money, make your own. Here is the recipe.
3.
Ginger–
In capsule form, ginger can greatly help with nausea and vomiting associated
with the flu. It can also help with high fever and headache. Fresh ginger root
can be steeped in boiling water to make a tea that is very effective against
sinus symptoms and congestion.
4.
Yarrow– Unsurpassed
for flu and fever, and great for children. If used abundantly in tea or
tincture at the beginning of an illness, it will usually shorten the illness to
less than 24 hours. It is especially good for fevers as it induces perspiration
and is great for all childhood type illnesses. It is naturally bitter, so it is
often good to include peppermint and stevia leaf when making a tea. It is great
for the liver and kidneys and supports the endocrine system.
5.
Chamomile–
An absolute staple, especially for kids. Chamomile calms the nerves, helps
children sleep better and reduces inflammation or fever. Soaking a chamomile
tea bag in warm water and placing over an eye for 15 minutes every 2 hours will
relieve pink eye in less than 24 hours. Chamomile tastes great and is easy to
get kids to take. We use it in tea and tincture formula. It is also great for
regulating hormones and for the skin and can be used regularly for good sleep.
6.
Peppermint–
Great for all digestive disturbances and for lowering fever. It can be used as
a tea or tincture or rubbed on the skin to bring a high fever down. It is
antimicrobial and antiviral and kids usually love the taste. It can be consumed
as a hot tea or cold tea during illness in any amounts.
7.
Catnip–
A traditional cold and flu remedy, and a great herb for children. It helps
induce sleep and settles the stomach. As a tincture or tea, it is a great herb
for combating flu, cold or other illness.
8.
Red Clover–
Very high in nutrients, Red Clover purifies the blood and relaxes the body. It
has been used in hormonal preparations, but is also useful in treating almost
any illness. Can be used in tea or tincture.
Vitamins For Cold and Flu
Treatment
1.
Vitamin D3–
A hormone precursor, this vitamin is finally getting recognition as a necessary
nutrient for health. Optimizing Vitamin D levels can help prevent illness in
the first place, and taking several thousand IU a day while sick can help speed
recovery. Blood tests can help determine any underlying deficiency. This can
also be obtained from supplements like Fermented Cod Liver Oil.
2.
Vitamin C–
Perhaps the best vitamin for cold and flu, vitamin C in large amounts can
greatly speed recovery. We take a real food form from camu camu and
acerola cherry.
3.
Zinc– Can
reduce the severity of a cold or flu virus and can help shorten the
duration of illness.
Natural Antibiotics and
Antivirals for Illness
There are several potent natural
antibiotics that in some cases work much better than store bought varieties.
The following are ones I keep around at all times:
1.
Oregano and Oregano Oil–
Oregano oil is a potent natural antibiotic and antiviral. I diffuse this
as needed during illness or use a tiny amount (diluted) on the feet.
2.
Thyme and Thyme Oil–
A tea (not nice tasting) made from thyme is very effective against cold and
flu. Thyme oil rubbed on the skin will help the body fight infection. Pregnant
women and small children should not use thyme.
Other Effective Natural
Remedies
1.
Coconut Oil– Coconut
oil is high in lauric acid and is thought to dissolve the lipid coating
around some viruses and make them more susceptible to attack by the immune
system. If sick, aim for 5-6 tablespoons per day in food or melted and stirred
into hot tea. Coconut oil has many other health benefits as well and is known
to boost the immune system.
2.
Onions and Garlic on the Feet
at night– For extreme cases of illness, I slice
onion and garlic and place all over the bottom of the infected person’s
foot (rub olive oil on the foot first). I then wrap the foot in saran wrap and
place a sock on overnight. Onions and garlic have been shown to pull toxins and
help the body heal. Some natural practitioners even claim that having cut
onions around will absorb toxins and keep others in the family from getting
sick, though I have not tried this.
3.
Apple Cider Vinegar Gargle and
Drink– Yes, it tastes awful, but if you are sick enough, you won’t
taste it anyway. Drink a tablespoon in water (gargle first) at the first sign
of illness and repeat hourly until symptoms disappear. This alkalizes the body
and helps kill viruses and bacteria.
A Natural Remedy Reference
There are a lot of options in natural
illness treatment, so what do you actually do when illness hits? Below is my
reference sheet that I keep in my herb cabinet for reference whenever anyone in
the family starts to show signs of illness. The earlier you can catch an
illness, often the easier it is to beat.
·
Hydrogen Peroxide in ears (be
careful if you have sensitive skin. only use 3% and dilute if needed)
·
Removal of all grains, dairy,
sugars, etc.
·
Consumption of only water
with chlorophyll and herbal teas
·
Garlic in water followed by
cinnamon honey tea (twice a day)
·
Chamomile, Yarrow, Catnip and
Peppermint tincture (every 3 hours)
·
Cool nettle, red raspberry,
alfalfa and peppermint tea to sip with grapefruit seed extract added
·
Elderberry syrup every 2 hours
·
Vitamin C and Zinc every 2-3
hours in small doses until bowel tolerance
·
Apple cider vinegar gargle and
drink every few hours if they will take it
·
Hot tea with melted coconut oil
before bed
·
Onions and garlic on feet
during sleep
How to Make Your Own Herbal Tincture for
Kids
This tincture is great for symptom relief
for kids and adults. I have found it to work better than Tylenol or cough
syrups and it is healthier too! It is simple to make, and you can get all the
ingredients here.
Herbal Tincture
Ingredients
·
2/3 cup dried chamomile
flowers
·
2/3 cup dried yarrow
flowers
·
2/3 cup dried peppermint
leaf
·
2/3 cup dried catnip herb
·
100 proof vodka
Herbal Tincture
Instructions
1.
Put all herbs in 1 quart mason
glass jar
2.
Pour 80-100 proof vodka over
herbs, filling jar
3.
Let steep at least two weeks,
but preferably 2 months, shaking daily.
4.
Store in cool, dark place.
5.
After 2 weeks-2 months, strain
liquid through cheesecloth and store in glass dropper botles for easy use.
Store in a cool, dark place and it will last indefinitely.
6.
Use 8-10 drops for kids over
age 2 whenever ill.
Important Notes: I
am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be one. I cannot treat, cure, prevent or
diagnose any illness. If you have concerns about any sickness, talk to your
family physician. Do your own research on natural remedies to ensure that you
think they are safe. I earn a small commission through the links above, though
the price is the same for you. If you do not wish to use my affiliate link, go
to the site directly. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a qualified
specialist before taking any herb or supplement.
