Some Words About Herbs
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Many Witches mistakenly believe that they must spend fortunes on exotic herbs to do their magical work. But it’s important to remember that people all over the planet have been practicing Witchcraft for millennia. They didn’t have supermarkets or fancy New Age shops. They used whatever was at hand. The humble culinary herbs that we love to add to our food are amazingly powerful, readily available, and relatively inexpensive (free if you grow them yourself).
Cooking with herbs can be a magical act. There’s a reason Witches are associated with cauldrons (cooking pots). Herbs were the first medicines and Witches, the first healers. Herbs are loaded with antioxidants, which can keep us healthy. But we can also take their magical powers into ourselves by ingesting them. So go ahead and enjoy their wonderful aromas and flavors.
Below are some common herbs and spices that you might find quite useful in your magical work as well as in your kitchen.
This is a recipe for a healing ointment that Jenifer Hurley sent me.HERBAL OINTMENT
Disinfectant ointmentUse the above healing ointment as a base. Add 10 drops of the following esserntial herb oils: eucalyptus, teatree (melaluca), thuja, thymo (thyme oil)Here is a helpful link for information on herbal remedies.http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/Herbs_and_Supplements.htmFire Cider!
This recipe has been credited to many different herbalists, including the late Dr. Christopher, and I've seen many variations of the recipe over the years. I first learned it from Rosemary Gladstar back in the mid 90's. Some folks steep this recipe for 2 weeks - others say 2 or 3 months. Personally, I find the flavor and strength I desire by steeping at least 8 weeks. However, if you need it sooner you may certainly use it after just several weeks. For me Fire Cider is a tonic. I have always been drawn to the flavors of its ingredients and drink small amounts daily starting in the fall and all throughout the winter months. This recipe is an inexpensive, effective way to treat or stave off colds & flus, and to break up congestion. Some of the traditional benefits of Fire Cider's ingredients include: Horseradish ~ The antibacterial properties of Horseradish have been used to fight bacteria. Horseradish strongly stimulates the digestion, increasing gastric secretions and appetite. It's also a good diuretic that promotes perspiration, making it useful in fevers, colds, and flu. Horseradish is also an expectorant and mildly antibiotic, and can be of use in both respiratory and urinary tract infections. Ginger ~ is valued for its ability to warm the stomach, to ease vomiting & nausea and to fight off colds, chills and coughs. Ginger is useful for all types of congestion in the body. Garlic ~ supports the immune function and opens the pores of the skin to lower a fever. This herb's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties make it useful in treating bladder and kidney infections , yeast infections , strep throats and ear infections. Cayenne ~ is useful for increasing circulation and to get mucous flowing. This herb is an anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant. It is used as a digestive aid to stimulates gastric juices. Many people report relief from migraines with this herb as well. How to Make Fire Cider Ingredients
Place all ingredients in a quart jar and cover with Apple Cider Vinegar. Cover tightly. Steep for 8 weeks. Strain into clean jar. How to Use Your Fire Cider?
Personally, I can drink a small shot glass at a time. Others will want only a few drops mixed with honey, or only topically. (I once knew a woman in her late 80's who snorted small amounts from a spoon to clean out her nasal passages!) Enjoy! Egg Whites for BurnsA young man sprinkling his lawn and bushes with pesticides wanted to check the contents of the barrel to see how much pesticide remained in it. He raised the cover and lit his lighter; the vapors inflamed and engulfed him. He jumped from his truck, screaming. His neighbor came out of her house with a dozen eggs, yelling: "bring me some eggs!" She broke them, separating the whites from the yolks. The neighbor woman helped her to apply the whites on the young man's face. When the ambulance arrived and when the EMTs saw the young man, they asked who had done this. Everyone pointed to the lady in charge. They congratulated her and said: "You have saved his face." By the end of the summer, the young man brought the lady a bouquet of roses to thank her. His face was like a baby's skin.Healing Miracle for burns:Keep in mind this treatment of burns which is included in teaching beginner fireman this method. First aid consists to spraying cold water on the affected area until the heat is reduced and stops burning the layers of skin. Then, spread egg whites on the affected are.One woman burned a large part of her hand with boiling water. In spite of the pain, she ran cold faucet water on her hand, separated 2 egg white from the yolks, beat them slightly and dipped her hand in the solution. The whites then dried and formed a protective layer. She later learned that the egg white is a natural collagen and continued during at least one hour to apply layer upon layer of beaten egg white. By afternoon she no longer felt any pain and the next day there was hardly a trace of the burn. 10 days later, no trace was left at all and her skin had regained its normal color. The burned area was totally regenerated thanks to the collagen in the egg whites, a placenta full of vitamins. This information could be helpful to everyone: Please pass it on. Blackstrap molassesThe thick viscous syrup we call blackstrap molasses that provides the robust bittersweet flavor to baked beans and gingerbread is available throughout the year.Blackstrap molasses is just one type of molasses, the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Blackstrap molasses provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Blackstrap molasses can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Blackstrap molasses, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart. Health BenefitsBlackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you. Unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, or artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame, which not only provide no useful nutrients but have been shown to cause health problems in sensitive individuals, blackstrap molasses is a healthful sweetener that contains significant amounts of a variety of minerals that promote your health.Iron for EnergyIn addition to providing quickly assimilated carbohydrates, blackstrap molasses can increase your energy by helping to replenish your iron stores. Blackstrap molasses is a very good source of iron. Particularly for menstruating women, who are more at risk for iron deficiency, boosting iron stores with blackstrap molasses is a good idea--especially because, in comparison to red meat, a well known source of iron, blackstrap molasses provides more iron for less calories and is totally fat-free. Iron is an integral component of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells, and is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism. And, if you're pregnant or lactating, your needs for iron increase. Growing children and adolescents also have increased needs for iron. Just 2 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses will sweetly provide you with 13.3% of the daily recommended value for iron.A Spoonful of Molasses Helps Your Calcium Needs Go DownBlackstrap molasses is a very good source of calcium. Calcium, one of the most important minerals in the body, is involved in a variety of physiological activities essential to life, including the ability of the heart and other muscles to contract, blood clotting, the conduction of nerve impulses to and from the brain, regulation of enzyme activity, and cell membrane function. Calcium is needed to form and maintain strong bones and teeth during youth and adolescence, and to help prevent the loss of bone that can occur during menopause and as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. Calcium binds to and removes toxins from the colon, thus reducing the risk of colon cancer, and because it is involved in nerve conduction, may help prevent migraine attacks. Two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses will meet 11.8% of your daily needs for calcium.An Energizing Mineral-Dense SweetenerMolasses is also an excellent source of copper and manganese and a very good source of potassium, and magnesium.Copper, an essential component of many enzymes, plays a role in a wide range of physiological processes including iron utilization, elimination of free radicals, development of bone and connective tissue, and the production of the skin and hair pigment called melanin. Numerous health problems can develop when copper intake is inadequate, including iron deficiency anemia, ruptured blood vessels, osteoporosis, joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, brain disturbances, elevated LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduced HDL (good) cholesterol levels, irregular heartbeat, and increased susceptibility to infections. Using two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses to sweeten your morning cereal and the coffee or tea you drink during the day will supply you with 14.0% of the daily recommended value for copper. That same amount of blackstrap molasses will also provide you with 18.0% of the day's needs for manganese. This trace mineral helps produce energy from protein and carbohydrates, and is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids that are important for a healthy nervous system and in the production of cholesterol that is used by the body to produce sex hormones. Manganese is also a critical component of an important antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is found exclusively inside the body's mitochondria (the oxygen-based energy factories inside most of our cells) where it provides protection against damage from the free radicals produced during energy production. Like calcium, potassium plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve transmission. When potassium is deficient in the diet, activity of both muscles and nerves can become compromised. Potassium is an especially important mineral for atheletes since it is involved in carbohydrate storage for use by muscles as fuel and is also important in maintaining the body's proper electrolyte and acid-base (pH) balance. When potassium levels drop too low, muscles get weak, and athletes tire more easily during exercise, as potassium deficiency causes a decrease in glycogen (the fuel used by exercising muscles) storage. Simply by adding two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses to your morning smoothie, you can supply 9.7% of your potassium needs for the day along with a healthy dose of carbohydrates to burn. Calcium's balancing major mineral, magnesium is also necessary for healthy bones and energy production. About two-thirds of the magnesium in the human body is found in our bones. Some helps give bones their physical structure, while the rest is found on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to draw upon as needed. Magnesium, by balancing calcium, helps regulate nerve and muscle tone. In many nerve cells, magnesium serves as Nature's own calcium channel blocker, preventing calcium from rushing into the nerve cell and activating the nerve. By blocking calcium's entry, magnesium keeps our nerves (and the blood vessels and muscles they ennervate) relaxed. If our diet provides us with too little magnesium, however, calcium can gain free entry, and the nerve cell can become overactivated, sending too many messages and causing excessive contraction. Insufficient magnesium can thus contribute to high blood pressure, muscle spasms (including spasms of the heart muscle or the spasms of the airways symptomatic of asthma), and migraine headaches, as well as muscle cramps, tension, soreness and fatigue. In two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses, you will receive 7.3% of the daily value for magnesium. Switching from nutrient-poor sweeteners like white sugar or corn syrup, or from potentially harmful fake sweeteners like aspartame or saccharin to nutrient-dense blackstrap molasses is one simple way that eating healthy can sweeten your life. DescriptionThe truth behind the phrase "slow as molasses" becomes apparent when you reflect on molasses's thick, viscous, syrupy texture. Featuring a robust bittersweet flavor, blackstrap molasses helps create the distinctive taste of dishes such as baked beans and gingerbread. Blackstrap molasses is very dark in color, having a black-brown hue.Blackstrap molasses is just one type of molasses, the dark liquid that is the byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. Blackstrap molasses is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. HistoryMolasses has been imported into the United States from the Caribbean Islands since the time of the early colonists. In fact, it was the most popular sweetener used until the late 19th century since it was much more affordable than refined sugar, which was very expensive at that time.In some respects, molasses has had a rather sticky history with at least two important historical events centering around this sweet food product. The first is the Molasses Act of 1733, a tariff passed by England to try to discourage the colonists from trading with areas of the West Indies that were not under British rule. This legislation is thought to be one of the events that catalyzed pre-revolutionary colonial dissent and unrest. It is not often that a fateful tragedy occurs that centers around a food, but unfortunately, in 1919, one such event did occur. The event is referred to as the Great Molasses Flood and occurred when a molasses storage tank holding over two million gallons of molasses broke, and its sticky content came pouring throughout the city streets of Boston, Massachussetts, traveling as fast as 35 miles per hour and creating a thirty foot tidal wave of sweetener. Unfortunately, this was not a sweet matter as twenty-one people died and significant amounts of property was destroyed. Blackstrap molasses gained in popularity in the mid-20th century with the advent of the health food movement. Today, the largest producers of molasses are India, Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, the Phillipines and the United States. How to Select and StoreLook for blackstrap molasses that is unsulphured since not only does it not contain this processing chemical to which some people are sensitive, but it has a cleaner and more clarified taste. Blackstrap molasses made from organic sugar cane is also available in some markets.Molasses should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place. Unopened containers should keep for about one year, while opened containers should keep for about six months. A Few Quick Serving Ideas:Adding molasses to baked beans will give them that traditionally robust flavor.Molasses imparts a wonderfully distinctive flavor to cookies and gingerbread cakes. Basting chicken or turkey with molasses will give it both a rich color and rich taste. Individual ConcernsBlackstrap molasses is not a commonly allergenic food and is not known to contain measurable amounts of oxalates or purines.Nutritional ProfileBlackstrap molasses is an excellent source of manganese and copper. It is a very good source of iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. In addition, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium.In addition to the nutrients highlighted in our ratings chart, an in-depth nutritional profile for Blackstrap molasses is also available. This profile includes information on a full array of nutrients, including carbohydrates, sugar, soluble and insoluble fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and more. Introduction to Food Rating System ChartIn order to better help you identify foods that feature a high concentration of nutrients for the calories they contain, we created a Food Rating System. This system allows us to highlight the foods that are especially rich in particular nutrients. The following chart shows the nutrients for which this food is either an excellent, very good, or good source (below the chart you will find a table that explains these qualifications). If a nutrient is not listed in the chart, it does not necessarily mean that the food doesn't contain it. It simply means that the nutrient is not provided in a sufficient amount or concentration to meet our rating criteria. (To view this food's in-depth nutritional profile that includes values for dozens of nutrients - not just the ones rated as excellent, very good, or good - please use the link below the chart.) To read this chart accurately, you'll need to glance up in the top left corner where you will find the name of the food and the serving size we used to calculate the food's nutrient composition. This serving size will tell you how much of the food you need to eat to obtain the amount of nutrients found in the chart. Now, returning to the chart itself, you can look next to the nutrient name in order to find the nutrient amount it offers, the percent Daily Value (DV%) that this amount represents, the nutrient density that we calculated for this food and nutrient, and the rating we established in our rating system. For most of our nutrient ratings, we adopted the government standards for food labeling that are found in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "Reference Values for Nutrition Labeling."
References
Stop Bleeding With Ground Black PepperThis tip is provided by Peg Hicks. Thank you, Peg!Here's a neat tip I found in my notes (loose tip page from an old community cookbook): When accidentally cutting your finger or your hand, cover with a generous amount of black pepper. Contrary to ones thinking this will not burn, instead the pepper stops the bleeding, is most healing, takes out the soreness also forms a crust over the cut to keep out infection. Who knew! I did try this on a new little cut I have just to see if the pepper would sting and found that it didn't at all. The cut is a bit deep, wasn't bleeding, but it is a day old so the healing process already started before I applied the pepper. You will want to rinse a cut first to clean it before applying the pepper, and this would be for minor cuts and scrapes that won't stop bleeding. I did look around a bit online to see if I could find any info on why ground black pepper stops bleeding and although there was some information that pepper can be used for this, I didn't find any solid answers explaining why it works. However I did find this on a discussion page in Wikipedia: In a discussion with a friend working in catering I was told that black pepper was used in kitchen as a way to stop the bleeding of light cuts ? Any idea why ? Pepper has some antibacterial properties; the small bits may provide places for platelets to glom onto and quickly begin coagulation, and lastly, probably because it's easily available in a big kitchen. I used to use salt for the same purpose, for the same reason. (For small surface scratches / very shallow cuts, nothing deep. Stings a bit but not intolerably.) Tip:Collect those little pepper packets you get with take-out and stash a few in your wallet, car and first aid kit so you'll always have some pepper within reach–just in case!The benefits of vinegar http://www.webmd.com/video/vinegar-for-diabetes This MIRACLE DRINK has been circulating for a long time long ago. It is worth your while to take note. There is a celebrity Mr. Seto who swears by it. He wants to make it public to draw the attention of people who have cancers. This is a drink that can protect bad cells forming in your body or it will restrain its growth! Mr. Seto had lung cancer. He was recommended to take this drink by a famous Herbalist from China . He has taken this drink diligently for 3 months and now his health is restored, and he is ready to take a pleasure trip. Thanks to this drink! It does not hurt for you to try. It is like a Miracle Drink! It is simple. You need one beet root, one carrot and one apple that combine together to make the JUICE ! Wash the above, cut with the skin on into pieces and put them into the juicer and immediately you drink the juice. You can add some lime or lemon for more refreshing taste. This Miracle Drink will be effective for the following ailments: 1. Prevent cancer cells to develop. It will restrain cancer cells to grow. 2. Prevent liver, kidney, pancreas disease and it can cure ulcer as well. 3. Strengthen the lung, prevent heart attack and high blood pressure. 4. Strengthen the immune system 5. Good for the eyesight, eliminate red and tired eyes or dry eyes 6. Help to eliminate pain from physical training, muscle ache 7. Detoxify, assist bowel movement, eliminate constipation. Therefore it will make skin healthy & LOOK more radiant. It is God sent for acne problem. 8. Improve bad breath due to indigestion, throat infection, 9. Lessen menstrual pain 10. Assist Hay Fever Sufferer from Hay Fever attack. There is absolutely no side effect. Highly nutritious and easily absorbs! Very effective if you need to loose weight. You will notice your immune system will be improved after 2 week routine. Please make sure to drink immediately from the juicer for best effect. WHEN TO DRINK IT; DRINK IT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WITH THE EMPTY STOMACH! AFTER ONE HOUR YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST. FOR FAST RESULTS DRINK 2 TIMES A DAY, IN THE MORNING AND BEFORE 5 P.M. DISCLAIMER: Please consult your physician before using this therapy if you already have cancer. LISTEN UP FOLKS: This is something that we should all take seriously – just had a recent test myself that sent shivers up my spine – or near by – Even doctors are now saying that there is value in trying “LEMON” So, a tablespoon of "real lemon" (the concentrate in a bottle) in a glass of water every morning. What can it hurt? Subject: A must-read- The surprising benefits of lemon! I remain perplexed! Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Charles Street Baltimore , MD 1201. This is the latest in medicine, effective for cancer! Read carefully & you be the judge. Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant, combats stress and nervous disorders. The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ... The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells. Institute of Health Sciences, 819 N. L.L.C. Cause Street, Baltimore, MD1201 Johns Hopkins Update - Very Good ArticleAFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins : 1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. 2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors. 4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors. 5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system. 6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc. 7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. 8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction. 9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications. 10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. 11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. *CANCER CELLS FEED ON: A. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt. B. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved. c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat, like chicken. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).. e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine Green tea is a better alternative e and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, it needs to be alkalined if you drink it The natural way to alkaline it is to squeeze fresh lemons in it. Lemons are alkalining fruit. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells.. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. 16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells. 1. No plastic containers in micro. 2. No water bottles in freezer. 3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Please share this with your whole email list......................... Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life Agaricus subrufescens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Agaricus subrufescens (incorrectly known as Agaricus
blazei, Agaricus
sylvaticus) is a species of mushroom,
commonly known as Agaricus Blazei Murill Mushroom, Almond
mushroom, or himematsutake (Japanese: 姫松茸, "princess matsutake") and by a number of other names. Agaricus subrufescens
is a choice edible, with a somewhat sweet taste and fragrance of almonds. This mushroom is also well known as a medicinal mushroom, for its purported medicinal properties,
due to research which indicates it may stimulate the immune system.
Taxonomy
Agaricus subrufescens was first described by the American
botanist Charles
Horton Peck in 1893.[1]
During the late 19th and early 20th century, it was cultivated for the table in
the eastern In 2002, Didukh
and Wasser correctly rejected the name A. blazei for this species, but unfortunately called the
Brazilian fungus A. brasiliensis,[3]
a name that had already been used for a different species, Agaricus
brasiliensis Fr. (1830). Richard Kerrigan
undertook genetic and interfertility testing on
several fungal strains[2]
and showed that samples of the Brazilian strains called A. blazei and A. brasiliensis
were genetically similar to, and interfertile with,
North American populations of Agaricus subrufescens. These tests also found European samples
called A. rufotegulis to be of the same
species. Because A. subrufescens is the oldest
name, it has taxonomical priority. Note that Agaricus
blazei Murrill is a
perfectly valid name, but for a completely different mushroom. Agaricus
silvaticus Schaeff.
is also a perfectly valid name for a common, north
temperate, woodland mushroom. Neither is a synonym of Agaricus
subrufescens. Description
The floccose stipe and annulus of A. subrufescens The cap is initially hemispherical, later
becoming convex, with a diameter of 5 to 18 centimetres
(2.0 to 7.1 in).[4]
The cap surface is covered with silk-like fibers, although in maturity it
develops small scales (squamulose). The color
of the cap may range from white to grayish or dull reddish-brown; the cap
margin typically splits with age. The flesh of A. subrufescens
is white, and has the taste of "green nuts", with the odor of
almonds.[4]
The gills are not attached to the stalk (free),
narrow, and crowded closely together. They start out whitish in color, then
later pinkish and finally black-brown as the spores mature. Spores are ellipsoid, smooth, dark-purplish brown when
viewed microscopically, with dimensions of 6–7.5 by 4–5 µm. The stipe is 6 to 15 centimetres
(2.4 to 5.9 in) by 1 to 1.5 centimetres (0.39 to 0.59
in) thick, and bulbous at the base. Initially solid, the stipe
becomes hollow with age; it is cottony (floccose) to scaly towards the
base.[4]
The annulus is abundant and double-layered; it is
bent downwards towards the stem, smooth and whitish on the upper side, and
covered with cottony scales on the lower side. Distribution
and habitat
Agaricus subrufescens forms fruitbodies
singly or in clusters in leaf litter in rich soil, often in domestic habitats.[5]
It was originally described from the northeastern Edibility
Aroma
Agaricus subrufescens is a choice edible, with a somewhat sweet
taste and fragrance of almonds. The almond
smell of the mushroom is mostly due to the presence of benzaldehyde, benzyl
alcohol, benzonitrile, and methyl
benzoate.[6] Commercial
use
Due to the fact Agaricus subrufescens
contains a high level of beta glucans, compounds known for stimulating the immune system,[7][8][9]
the fungus is used in oncological therapy in Japan and Brazil.[10]
In addition to beta-glucans, the mushroom's effect on
the immune system is believed to be due to other polysaccharides such as alpha-glucans.[11]
In Japan, Agaricus subrufescens
is sold under the brand names Sen-Sei-Ro Gold, and
ABMK, and is used by an estimated 500,000 people[12]
In Japan, Agaricus subrufescens
is also the most popular complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer
patients.[13]
Although Agaricus subrufescens
is cultivated in the Recently, Watanabe et al.
published a report in the Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin on a
novel hybrid of A. subrufescens called Basidiomycetes-X (BDM-X)[15]
and a US patent[16]
was issued on a novel hybrid of the A. subrufescens
edible mushroom which was cross-bred (hybridized) with another medicinal
mushroom resulting in a new hybrid claimed to possess 10 to 3000 times the
potency of similar but unpatented mushrooms. Research
Many researchers have studied Agaricus subrufescens,
as well as other medicinal mushrooms for close to 50 years, due to laboratory
tests which show they may stimulate immune system cells and the production of immune system
cytokines. Below is a summary of this research,
which is often based on animal or cellular models. Research conducted on the
mushroom's ability to impact the human immune system or human diseases is
"beneficial".[17] Cancer
research
Animal and cellular research has
shown that Agaricus subrufesscens
application or consumption appears to offer anti-cancer properties.
Immune
system
Cellular and animal research has
shown that Agaricus subrufescens
may stimulate immune system cells and the production cytokines, like interferons and interleukins (reviewed by G. Hetland).[35] Direct
anti-viral properties
Agaricus subrufescens mushrooms are known to have anti-viral
properties in cell culture.[36][37]
The ability of Agaricus subrufescens
to inhibit viruses in the human body has not been studied. Other mushrooms are
also known to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activity in cell culture.[38][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Other
possible effects
Besides evidence Agaricus subrufescens
may up-regulate the immune system, additional research suggests the mushroom
has a beneficial effect on cholesterol,[45]
inhibiting pathogenic factors,[46][47][48][49]
and inhibiting angiogenesis.[21][50] Limited clinical and animal
research suggests, Agaricus subrufescens consumption may lower blood glucose levels and improve insulin resistance.[45][51][52][18] See also
Retrieved from
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaricus_subrufescens" Headline Story14 Ways Wine Enhances HealthFriday, June 18, 2010 8:07 AM By Sylvia Booth Hubbard We've all heard of the heart-healthy benefits of wine, but scientists are finding that a glass — or two — of red wine each day can lower the risk of many diseases. Research shows that wine has large amounts of antioxidants that mop up free radicals, the chemicals that damage cells and play a major role in aging. And grape juice doesn't provide the same benefits. The concentration of antioxidants called polyphenols, which includes resveratrol, are much higher in wine than in grape juice, says Seattle plastic surgeon Richard A Baxter. "In wine, the skin and seeds are part of the fermenting process, but both are removed when making grape juice," he told WebMD. An avalanche of studies show that moderate drinking, which is considered two glasses of wine each day for men and one for women, can aid your body from head to toe, including helping you fight cancer, lose weight, and maintain a sharp intellect. Check out the 14 ways wine can improve your health: Heart attack. Two glasses a day of red wine – or champagne, if you prefer – help stave off circulation and heart problems. Many studies show that moderate amounts lower the risk of heart attack by 30 to 50 percent. In addition to protecting your heart, recent studies show that if you're already had a heart attack, red wine may protect you from having another. Alzheimer's. Studies show that regular wine drinkers reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's by 80 percent. Obesity. A study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that women who drank two glasses of red wine a day gained less weight than women who drank less each day or who didn't drink at all. The teetotalers gained the most. Healthy skin. Studies found that people who drink red wine have fewer precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratoses. Colorectal cancer. The antioxidants and resveratrol in wine help fight cancer as well as suppress its development. A study done at New York's Stony Brook University found that people who drink at least three glasses of red wine each week cut the risk of colorectal cancer by almost 70 percent. Prostate cancer. Polyphenols, a component of red wine, disrupt a cell signaling pathway essential for the growth of prostate cancer. Tooth decay. Italian scientists discovered that red wine makes it difficult for harmful bacteria to cling to teeth. In a statement on the United Kingdom's National Health Service site, they said that the prevention of tooth decay "may be another beneficial effect of the moderate consumption of red wine." Ovarian Cancer. Two studies — one Australian and one Hawaiian — found that a glass of wine a day reduced the risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 50 percent. But heavy drinking can increase the risk. Tummy troubles. A British study found that wine drinkers reduced their risk of infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria by 11 percent. H. pylori can cause ulcers, stomach cancer, and gastritis. Wine may also guard against food poisoning caused by salmonella. Kidney stones. A Harvard University study found that wine reduced the risk of kidney stones by 59 percent in women and 39 percent in men. Cholesterol. Studies show that red wine can raise the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) while reducing the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) and preventing the formation of plaque in arteries. Strong bones. Moderate drinkers appear to have higher bone mass than those who don't drink. Scientists believe alcohol boosts estrogen levels and slows the body's breakdown of old bone. Diabetes. Harvard Medical School found that postmenopausal women who drank wine were 40 percent less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who didn't drink. A Chinese study found that the resveratrol in red wine could help fight insulin resistance. Premature death. Studies in both the United States and Great Britain have found a link between drinking wine and a lowered risk of dying early. A study of British physicians found moderate drinking lowered the mortality for all causes by at least 16 percent, and a Chinese study of men found that moderate drinkers lowered their risk of dying by 19 percent. The U.S. Nurses' Health Study found that "for women as a group, light to moderate alcohol consumption offers significant survival advantages.” © 2010 Newsmax. All rights reserved. http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/headline_health/14_ways_wine_fights_disea/2010/06/18/323278.html?s=al&promo_code=A1A3-1 (NaturalNews) There's a vastly underrated herb that is commonly used as a spice for hot foods. Its powder is derived from ground up dried shells of chili peppers. Famed herbalist Dr. John Christopher was so involved with this herb that he was nicknamed Dr. Cayenne. And Dr. Richard Shultze recommends putting cayenne at the top of the ten most important herbs to have in a home "... because it will make the other nine work better". Cayenne powder is an instant blood flow stimulant, enabling it to promote blood circulation and carry other nutrients to cells more efficiently. But additionally, cayenne has its own set of virtues, especially when it comes to cardiovascular health. Ten Reasons To Use Cayenne 1. Strengthens the heart, even stops heart attacks in progress 2. Increases blood flow and cleans arterial wall plaque while rebuilding red blood cells 3. Aids digestion, even helps eliminate ulcers (surprise!) 4. Stimulates the liver and helps heal the gall bladder 5. Kills prostate cancer cells and shrinks tumors 6. Anti inflammatory eases arthritis 7. Shrinks hemorrhoids 8. Topical application on open wounds stops bleeding 9. Emulsifies triglycerides 10. Anti fungal, promotes waste elimination All inexpensive and without side effects, cayenne is unlike Big Pharma heart meds that run up a large monthly bill with side effects that demand other meds, unless death becomes the first side effect! Choosing and Using the Right Cayenne These days, commercial chili peppers are getting irradiated more and more. So it's best to get organic cayenne powder from a reliable source. Cayenne powders are rated according to their heat potential with Scofield Heat Units (SCUs), usually at 40,000, 60,000, and 90,000 SCUs. If you're new to this, start at 40,000 SCUs. For maximum effectiveness, less than 40,000 SCUs should be avoided. The SCU level determines the level of capsaicin, which is the essential ingredient of cayenne. There are even capsaicin capsules, which are not considered as effective as taking the powder in solution. The solution's heat kicks the nervous system into high gear through the nerve endings of the mouth and throat. Most users prefer mixing a teaspoonful of cayenne pepper with a glass of lemon and water. Start with a quarter or half teaspoonful to get used to it while building up to a full teaspoonful up to three times daily. But this author, who is not a fan of hot, spicy foods, uses it differently. One teaspoonful of cayenne powder can be mixed into a small amount of plain water in a lidded jar, enabling you to shake it for optimum mixing. Use just enough water to take it all into the mouth with one big gulp. Then hold it in the mouth very briefly before swallowing it completely. Follow up by sipping a glass of cold beverage, especially one that also is also good for the cardiovascular system, such as Jamaica (huh-my-ka) or hibiscus tea, or maybe even some cold Hawthorne tea. These help cool down your mouth and throat while adding to the heart health benefits. Dr. Schulze explains: "Cayenne pepper contains many wonderful phytochemicals, vitamins [extremely bioavailable C & E], and minerals [including magnesium]. It cleans the blood allowing hormonal signals to make their way unimpeded through your system, thus the enhanced immune response." (Phrases in brackets from Dr. Christopher). As stated earlier, start small and build up to a full teaspoonful two to three times a day each day. It does get easier, and it doesn't get any cheaper or safer for maintaining or creating cardiovascular health as well as adding all the other health benefits mentioned above. Bottoms up! Sources for more information include: Cayenne Pepper: The King of Medicinal Herbs http://www.cayennepepper.info/ Support Heart Health Inexpensively http://www.naturalnews.com/026285_health_cayenne_blood.html Report: Cayenne for Heart Health by Dr. John Christopher http://www.herballegacy.com/Cayenne_Herb.html Cayenne Pepper for Improved Blood Flow http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/cayenne.htm About the author Paul Fassa has managed to survive the Standard American Diet (SAD) and his youthful folly by deprogramming gradually from mainstream health ideology and studying holistic health matters informally with his wife while incorporating them into his lifestyle as a vegetarian. He also practices Chi-Lel Chi Gong, and he is trained as a polarity therapy practitioner. He is dedicated to warning others of the corruption of food and medicine in our time, and guiding others toward a better direction for health. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com FREEZING HERBSThings You'll Need:plastic bags ice cube trays herbs water Step 1 While many herbs are suitable for drying out, those with soft leaves such as parsley, basil, coriander, chives, mint and tarragon retain their color and flavor better with freezing. Step 2 When freezing herbs for a short period of time (less than 1 month) - simply wash and dry whole sprigs. Place into a plastic bag that has been labeled and freeze. Once frozen, your herbs will crumble nicely - perfect for culinary use. Step 3 If you are planning to freeze for a longer period, blanch the herbs first by dipping them first in boiling water. Follow with a dip in iced water. Be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel before placing into freezer bags and labeling. Step 4 Those who enjoy using herbs in their stock, soup, stews or casseroles may prefer storing their herbs in ice cube trays. Simply chop your herbs roughly. In each compartment of the tray place one tablespoon of water and one tablespoon of herbs. Once frozen, you can pop these out and store in labeled freezer bags. Many gardeners dry herbs from their herb garden, so that they'll be able to enjoy their fresh herbs for a few months longer. Drying herbs is an easy, efficient means to preserve fresh herbs, but herbs with a high water content seem to mold before they ever dry. To preserve herbs with a high water content, like basil, chives lemon balm, mint and tarragon, fresh freezing is a better option. The herbs will become limp in the process, but their flavor will be intact. Frozen herbs will keep their flavor for several months. Unlike dried herbs, where the flavor gets more concentrated when drying, frozen herbs can be used in the same proportion as fresh herbs. To Freeze Herbs:Method 1: Harvest the freshest, healthiest leaves. Wash, if necessary, and pat dry with paper towels Spread the individual leaves on a small tray or cookie sheet. Freezing the leaves flat and individually will prevent them from freezing together into a brick. Cover and place the tray of leaves into the freezer When frozen solid, place in airtight containers and return to the freezer. Once frozen individually, the leaves will not meld together. Method 2: Harvest the freshest, healthiest leaves Wash, if necessary, and pat dry with paper towels Stuff 2-3 individual leaves or a spoonful of chopped herbs in ice cube trays. Fill the tray half way with water. Make sure the leaves are down into the water, as best you can. They will tend to float, but we'll fix that with the next step. Place the half filled tray in the freezer. Once the ice cubes are pretty much frozen, finish filling the tray with water. The leaves will no longer be able to float and should be completely surrounded with water. Now place the tray back into the freezer to freeze solid. Once the ice cubes are frozen, remove from the tray and store in zip closure bags. When ready to use, toss the whole ice cube into your favorite stew or dish. Thank you to Paul Siska for this information. Health Benefits of Green TeaExperts explain green tea's potential benefits for everything from fighting cancer to helping your heart. By Julie Edgar WebMD Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD It's difficult not to gush about green tea. More than a decade's worth of research about green tea's health benefits -- particularly its potential to fight cancer and heart disease -- has been more than intriguing, as have limited studies about green tea's role in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, preventing diabetes and stroke, and staving off dementia. "I believe in green tea based on everything written about it," says Katherine Tallmadge, RD, LD, a nutritionist and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "Green tea, white tea, black tea -- I like all of them." Still, real-world evidence is lacking; most of the consistent findings about green tea's health benefits have come out of the lab. The few large-scale human studies that have focused on green tea's impact on heart disease and cancer are promising, but many of those were conducted in the East, where green tea is a dietary mainstay. The outcomes are likely influenced by other lifestyle factors such as high consumption of fish and soy protein, says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and medical director of the New York University Women's Heart Center. But Goldberg agrees with other health professionals: green tea has important antioxidants and compounds that help in maintaining good health. Skinny Sipping: Best and Worst Drinks for Weight Loss Green Tea's Powerful Antioxidants Green tea's antioxidants, called catechins, scavenge for free radicals that can damage DNA and contribute to cancer, blood clots, and atherosclerosis. Grapes and berries, red wine, and dark chocolate also have potent antioxidants. Because of green tea's minimal processing -- its leaves are withered and steamed, not fermented like black and oolong teas -- green tea's unique catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), are more concentrated. But there's still a question of how much green tea you need to drink to reap its health benefits. EGCG is not readily "available" to the body; in other words, EGCG is not always fully used by the body. "We must overcome the issue of poor bioavailability [and other issues] in order to get the most out of their benefits," says Tak-Hang Chan, PhD, professor emeritus in the department of chemistry at McGill University in Montreal. Chan has studied the use of a synthetic form of EGCG in shrinking prostate cancer tumors in mice, with success. Green Tea vs. Cancer Marji McCullough, ScD, RD, the American Cancer Society's strategic director of nutritional epidemiology, says human studies haven't yet proven what researchers like Chan have discovered in the lab: green tea's EGCG regulates and inhibits cancer growth and kills cells that are growing inappropriately. "Epidemiologically, one of the challenges is finding populations that drink enough green tea and have for a long time," she says. "With cancer, it's always difficult to find the exposure time," or the point at which cancer cells begin to develop. Still, it's difficult not to be intrigued by a few human studies that have shown that drinking at least two cups of green tea daily inhibits cancer growth. One of them, a study conducted in Japan that involved nearly 500 Japanese women with Stage I and Stage II breast cancer, found that increased green tea consumption before and after surgery was associated with lower recurrence of the cancers. Studies in China have shown that the more green tea that participants drank, the less the risk of developing stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. Finally, a recent analysis of 22 studies that probed the correlation between high tea consumption and reduced risk for lung cancer concluded that by increasing your daily intake of green (not black) tea by two cups may reduce the risk of developing lung cancer by 18%. Is Green Tea Good for Your Heart? It seems to be, but there are conflicting results of a few epidemiological studies conducted in the East and West. In a study that involved 500 Japanese men and women, researchers found that drinking at least four cups of green tea every day may be related to the reduced severity of coronary heart disease among the male participants. A Dutch study of more than 3,000 men and women found that the more tea consumed, the less severe the clogging of the heart's blood vessels, especially in women. As Goldberg suggests, lifestyle and overall diet are critical to the outcomes of these studies. But green tea's antioxidants are dilators, she says, because they improve the flexibility of blood vessels and make them less vulnerable to clogging -- and antioxidant-rich blueberries and pomegranates do the same. "I think people should know these are important studies, that everyday foods that are an option may actually have health benefits," Goldberg says. "I think green tea, because of its antioxidant value, may have heart benefits, but it's not something we regularly prescribe to people, because there isn't as much evidence as there is in exercise's ability to improve heart health." Green Tea and Weight Green tea and its extract have been shown to fight obesity and lower LDL "bad" cholesterol -- two risk factors for heart disease and diabetes -- but in very limited studies. One study in the Netherlands and a study in Japan showed that green tea did both. In the Dutch study, participants who drank caffeinated green tea lost more weight, but even those who typically drank the decaf variety saw a decrease in their waistlines and body weight. Researchers speculated that the caffeine helps with fat oxidation. In the Japanese study, 240 men and women were given varying amounts of green tea extract for three months. Those who got the highest amount lost fat and weight and had lower blood pressure and lower LDL "bad" cholesterol. Green Tea Straight Up Taking weight loss supplements that contain green tea extract probably won't hurt, unless you have liver problems. But the best way to get the most out of green tea -- even if your main goal is losing weight -- is to drink it. "Taken altogether, the evidence certainly suggests that incorporating at least a few cups of green tea every day will positively affect your health," says Diane McKay, PhD, a Tufts University scientist who studies antioxidants. "It's not going to cure anything and it shouldn't be consumed as a drug, but it can complement the rest of the diet." McCullough bears the same reminder: eat your fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts -- and go ahead, drink as much green tea as you want. "I don't think it can hurt to drink it. I'd focus on dietary sources rather than supplements because there are several compounds in green tea that might need to be consumed together. We just don't know yet," she says. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea Grapes
Eating Grapes May Prevent DiabetesBy Marrecca FioreSnacking on red, green and black grapes may help Americans reduce their risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System. Eating a grape-enriched diet may reduce and prevent the risk factors heart disease and metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects an estimated 50 million Americans and is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes, according to a study in animals that is being presented at the Experimental Biology convention in Anaheim, Calif. For their study, researchers mixed table grapes into a powdered form and added them to a high-fat, American-style diet and fed it to rats. Comparisons were made between the rats' consuming a grape-enriched diet and the control rats' receiving no grape powder. Researchers added calories and sugars to the control group to balance the extra calories and sugars gained from getting the grape powder. After three months, the rats who received the grape-enriched diet had lower blood pressure, better heart function and reduced indicators of inflammation in the heart and blood, compared to the rats who received no grape powder. Grape-fed rats also had lower triglycerides and improved glucose tolerance. Researchers believe that the phytochemicals or naturally occurring antioxidants in grapes may have played a role in reducing the rats' heart and diabetes risks. "The possible reasoning behind the lessening of metabolic syndrome is that the phytochemicals were active in protecting the heart cells from the damaging effects of metabolic syndrome," said Dr. Steven Bolling, heart surgeon at the U-M Cardiovascular Center and head of the U-M Cardioprotection Research Laboratory, in a news release. "In the rats, inflammation of the heart and heart function was maintained far better." The grapes made up about 3 percent of the rats' total diets, according to researchers, who noted that a similar study would need to be done in humans to see if grapes have the same effect. "Although there's not a particular direct correlation between this study and what humans should do, it's very interesting to postulate that a diet higher in phytochemical-rich fruits, such as grapes, may benefit humans," Bolling added. Amazing CucumberThis information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems.Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5,Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus,Potassium and Zinc.2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing,spa-like fragrance. 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. 5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! 6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!! 7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. 8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water. 9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone 10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. 11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. 12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean. 13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! Apple Cider VinegarOver the centuries, vinegar has been used for countless purposes: making pickles, killing weeds, cleaning coffee makers, polishing armor, and dressing salads. It's also an ancient folk remedy, touted to relieve just about any ailment you can think of.In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been singled out as an especially helpful health tonic. So it's now sold in both the condiment and the health supplement aisles of your grocery store. While many of the folk medicine uses of vinegar are unproven (or were disproved), a few do have a medical research backing them up. Some small studies have hinted that apple cider vinegar could help with several conditions, such as diabetes and obesity. So does consuming apple cider vinegar make sense for your health? Or is vinegar best used for cleaning stains and dyeing Easter eggs? Here's a rundown of the facts. What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?Vinegar is a product of fermentation. This is a process in which sugars in a food are broken down by bacteria and yeast. In the first stage of fermentation, the sugars are turned into alcohol. Then, if the alcohol ferments further, you get vinegar. The word comes from the French, meaning "sour wine." While vinegar can be made from all sorts of things -- like many fruits, vegetables, and grains -- apple cider vinegar comes from pulverized apples.The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar, or any vinegar, is acetic acid. However, vinegars also have other acids, vitamins, mineral salts, and amino acids. Apple Cider Vinegar: Cure for Everything?While long used as a folk remedy, apple cider vinegar became well known in the U.S. in the late 1950s, when it was promoted in the best-selling book Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health by D. C. Jarvis. During the alternative medicine boom of recent years, apple cider vinegar pills have become a popular dietary supplement.Look on the back of a box of supplements -- or on the Internet or in the pages of any one of the many books on vinegar and health -- and you'll find some amazing claims. Apple cider vinegar is purported to treat numerous diseases, health conditions, and annoyances. To name a few, it's supposed to kill head lice, reverse aging, ease digestion, and wash "toxins" from the body. Most of these claims have no evidence backing them up. Some -- like vinegar's supposed ability to treat lice or warts -- have actually been studied, and researchers turned up nothing to support their use. Other claims have been backed up by studies, but with a catch: vinegar may work, but not as well as other treatments. For instance, while vinegar is a disinfectant, it doesn't kill as many germs as common cleaners. And while vinegar does seem to help with jelly fish stings -- an old folk remedy -- hot water works better. Scientific Evidence of Apple Cider Vinegar BenefitsBut there are some medical uses of vinegar that do have promise, at least according to a few studies. Here's a rundown of some more recent ones.Diabetes. The effect of vinegar on blood sugar levels is perhaps the best-researched and the most promising of apple cider vinegar's possible health benefits. Several studies have found that vinegar may help lower glucose levels. For instance, one 2007 study of 11 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels in the morning by 4%-6%. High cholesterol. A 2006 study showed evidence that vinegar could lower cholesterol. However, the study was done in rats, so it's too early to know how it might work in people. Blood pressure and heart health. Another study in rats found that vinegar could lower high blood pressure. A large observational study also found that people who ate oil and vinegar dressing on salads five to six times a week had lower rates of heart disease than people who didn't. However, it's far from clear that the vinegar was the reason. Cancer. A few laboratory studies have found that vinegar may be able to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Observational studies of people have been confusing. One found that eating vinegar was associated with a decreased risk of esophageal cancer. Another associated it with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Weight Loss. For thousands of years, vinegar has been used for weight loss. White vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study of 12 people found that those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who just ate the bread. While the results of these studies are promising, they are all preliminary. Many were done on animals or on cells in a lab. The human studies have been small. Before we will truly know whether vinegar has any health benefits, much larger studies are needed. How Should Apple Cider Vinegar Be Used?Since apple cider vinegar is an unproven treatment, there are no official recommendations on how to use it. Some people take two teaspoons a day (mixed in a cup of water or juice.) A tablet of 285 milligrams is another common dosage.Apple cider vinegar is also sometimes applied to the skin or used in enemas. The safety of these treatments is unknown. What Are the Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar?On the whole, the risks of taking occasional, small amounts of apple cider vinegar seem low. But using apple cider vinegar over the long term, or in larger amounts, could have risks. Here are some things to keep in mind.Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic. The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar is acetic acid. As the name suggests, it's quite harsh. Apple cider vinegar should always be diluted with water or juice before swallowed. Pure apple cider vinegar could damage the tooth enamel and the tissues in your throat and mouth. One study found a woman who got an apple cider vinegar supplement stuck in her throat. She seemed to have suffered lasting damage to her esophagus. Vinegar has been known to cause contact burns to the skin. Long-term use of apple cider vinegar could cause low potassium levels and lower bone density. If you already have low potassium or osteoporosis, talk to your doctor before using apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar could theoretically interact with diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes and heart disease. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor before using apple cider vinegar. Vinegar contains chromium, which can alter your insulin levels. What Are the Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar? continued...Using apple cider vinegar supplements -- instead of the liquid itself -- adds another layer of risk. You just can't be sure what you're really getting. Unlike medicines, supplements are not regulated by the FDA. They aren't routinely tested for effectiveness or even basic safety. A 2005 study looked at the ingredients of eight different brands of apple cider vinegar supplements. The researchers found that:The ingredients listed on the box did not reflect the actual ingredients. The ingredients varied a great deal between different brands. The recommended dosages varied a great deal between brands. Most disturbing, the chemical analysis of these samples led the researchers to doubt whether any of these brands actually contained any apple cider vinegar at all. Should I Use Apple Cider Vinegar?The answer depends on how you want to use apple cider vinegar. As a salad dressing, you should be fine. But taken as a daily medical treatment, it could be a little more risky. Yes, some studies of apple cider vinegar are intriguing. But a lot more research needs to be done. Right now, there is not enough evidence that apple cider vinegar -- or any vinegar -- has any health benefit for any condition. Since the benefits are unknown, so are the risks.If you're thinking about trying apple cider vinegar, talk to your doctor first. It's always worth getting an expert's advice. Your doctor can also make sure that the apple cider vinegar won't affect other health conditions or the effectiveness of the medicines you take. Trying to control a serious medical condition on your own with an unproven treatment is both unwise and dangerous. http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar?ecd=wnl_dia_031710 Eating for LongevityFoods to keep your heart, brain, and bones healthy.By Peter Jaret WebMD Feature Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD Is there such a thing as a longevity diet? Increasingly, studies suggest the answer is yes. Around the world, certain groups of people enjoy exceptionally long lives. Consider the lucky people of Okinawa: These Pacific Islanders have an average life expectancy of more than 81 years, compared to 78 in the United States and a worldwide average of just 67. Closer to home, members of the Seventh Day Adventists, who typically eat vegetarian diets, outlive their neighbors by four to seven years on average. The residents of the San Blas islands, meanwhile, off the coast of Panama, very rarely suffer from high blood pressure and heart disease. Indeed, research shows that their rate of heart disease is only nine per 100,000 people, compared to 83 per 100,000 among nearby mainland Panamanians. What makes these groups so fortunate? A growing body of findings suggests that diet is one of the important contributors to longevity and a healthy life. WebMD examined the research and talked to the experts. Here’s what’s on the menu of people who enjoy long and healthy lives. Foods for a Healthy HeartMost of us know to go easy on saturated fat, the kind found in meat and high-fat dairy products. Saturated fats have been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels into the danger zone. Just as important is what you should be eating. For heart health and longevity, you should eat:Plenty of fruits and vegetables: Plant-based foods are abundant in fiber and many vitamins and minerals. Packed with nutrients, they’re also relatively low in calories. Studies consistently show that diets plentiful in fruits and vegetables help people maintain a healthy weight and protect against cardiovascular disease. Whole grains: Like fruits and vegetables, whole grains pack a lot of nutrition into a low-calorie package. Grains like oats and barley are also rich in a long list of disease-fighting compounds. In findings from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis published in 2009, researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston reported that participants whose diets included plenty of whole grains and fruit cut their heart disease risk by almost half compared to those whose diets favored meat and fatty foods. Findings from more than 161,000 nurses enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study also show that whole grains protect against type 2 diabetes, a disease that in turn increases the danger of heart disease. Nuts: For too long, nuts were banished from the list of healthy foods because they’re high in fat. They are. But the fat they contain is mostly unsaturated, which protects against heart disease. Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate? That’s right. Researchers now think that high blood pressure and heart disease are exceedingly rare among residents of the San Blas islands because they eat chocolate, and lots of it. Components in dark chocolate called polyphenols are believed to lower blood pressure and improve the flexibility of blood vessels. In a 2008 study, researchers at the University of Aquila gave volunteers with hypertension 100 grams of dark chocolate daily. After 15 days, their blood pressure readings were significantly lower and their insulin sensitivity had improved. Foods for a Vital BrainThe basic advice is simple: What’s good for your heart and blood vessels is also good for your brain. That means eating a diet centered on fruits and vegetables, with plenty of unsaturated oils such as olive oil, and plenty of whole grains. Foods that may add extra protection include:Blueberries and other antioxidant-rich fruits: Ongoing research at the Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University suggests that foods especially high in antioxidants, including blueberries, grape juice, and walnuts, protect against age-related changes in the brain that lead to memory loss and even dementia. Fish: High in omega-3 fats, fish and shellfish have been shown to protect against irregular heart rhythms than can lead to heart failure. New evidence suggests that in addition to heart protection, the fatty acids such as DHA and EPA found in fish oil (and ALA found in flaxseed) may offer a defense against depression and age-related memory loss. Low-salt foods: Researchers have known for years that less salt in the diet means lower blood pressure. Now new evidence suggests that keeping blood pressure down may also protect brain cells and decrease the risk of age-related memory loss and even dementia. “High blood pressure can damage the vasculature that supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients,” explains Tufts University neuroscientist Aron Troen, PhD. That may explain why people with chronic hypertension seem to be at higher risk of developing age-related cognitive impairments. Coffee: A growing number of studies suggest that coffee has several surprising health benefits. Along with potentially lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, consumption of coffee may reduce the risk of age-related mental decline. The latest evidence, from a Finish study of 1,409 volunteers published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease in 2009, found that people who regularly drank coffee during their middle-aged years were significantly less likely to suffer dementia and Alzheimer’s later in life. Those who drank three to five cups daily had a 65% reduction in risk. Foods for Strong BonesBone loss and osteoporosis are among the leading reasons for disability in later life. And once seniors become disabled, their health often declines in many other ways. Although some bone loss is inevitable as we age, eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D can slow the process and prevent disabling fractures. Among the top choices:Dark green leafy vegetables: Collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of calcium. Tofu: Look for brands made with calcium sulfate, which contain the highest levels of calcium. A half-cup contains about 250 milligrams of calcium. (Adult women should consume about 1500 milligrams a day, according to Heaney.) Unfortunately, getting enough vitamin D turns out to be trickier than getting enough calcium. Although many foods are fortified with vitamin D, diet alone isn’t able to provide enough. Our skin converts sunlight to vitamin D; but with age, that process becomes less efficient. (During the winter months in most parts of the United States, the sun is too weak to generate vitamin D production.) While experts continue to debate the optimal levels of vitamin D, Heaney recommends taking 1,000 to 2,000 international units (IU) a day in supplement form. Boosting vitamin D is particularly important as you get older, he points out, since the skin becomes less efficient at generating this crucial nutrient from sunlight. Beyond Nutrients: The Joy of Eating A diet abundant in nutrients is obviously important to longevity. So is enjoying what you eat-- and especially finding joy in sitting down to meals with family and friends. Studies of centenarians the world over suggest that social connections and finding meaning in life are both crucial to longevity. The long-lived people of Okinawa say one reason they enjoy long and healthy lives is something they call ikigai, or “finding your reason to live.” http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/eating-longevity Odd Vegetable Kills Breast Cancer Cells
A vegetable used in Chinese and Indian medicine to treat diabetes may also destroy breast cancer cells, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of “Cancer Research,” a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. Lead researcher Ratna Ray, Ph.D., a professor in the department of pathology at Saint Louis University, uses bitter melon in her stir fries but was surprised to find the vegetable’s extract also appears to “kill” breast cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. “To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of bitter melon extract on cancer cells,” Ray said in a statement. “Our result was encouraging. We have shown that bitter melon extract significantly induced death in breast cancer cells and decreased their growth and spread.” Bitter melon gets its name because it's among the most bitter of all vegetables, although it's also called African cucumber, balsam pear and bitter gourd. It is widely grown and used in India, Southeast Asia, China, Africa, and the Caribbean. It resembles a shriveled cucumber or gourd and the texture of the vegetable is described as being similar to both a cucumber and bell pepper. It's high in fiber and vitamin C. It also contains the B vitamins, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and B6, as well as magnesium, potassium and zinc. In the East, bitter melon is often used in stir fries, soups, and stews, as well as for pickling. In the U.S., bitter melon can purchased at specialty grocery stores, especially Asian and Indian grocers. Ray told AOL Health she purchases the vegetable in either Asian or Indian grocery stores and cautioned that the taste may take some getting used to. It's very bitter," she joked. "I don't mind because I like the taste, but some people might need to get used to it." Supplements have become very popular with Americans due to the vegetable's widely touted blood sugar benefits and can be purchased in both health food and health supplement stores such as GNC, as well as in drugstores. It can also be purchased as a tea. To date, Ray's research has not included the use of supplements and teas. "We've only used the extract straight from the vegetable," she said. Ray decided to test bitter melon's ability to fight breast cancer because it has been used for diabetes management and to lower cholesterol, . She used human breast cancer cells in a controlled laboratory setting to conduct her experiments. She said the next step would be to test the extract in animals, which she plans to do within the next several months. “Cancer prevention by the use of naturally occurring dietary substances is considered a practical approach to reduce the ever-increasing incidence of cancer. Studying a high-risk breast cancer population where bitter melon is taken as a dietary product will be an important area of future research,” Ray said. Ray said bitter melon will probably not prove to be a miracle drug as women in places such as Asia where the vegetable is widely eaten still get breast cancer. In the meantime, she said eating bitter melon does have many health benefits and certainly wouldn't harm anyone who wants to start adding it to their diets. More on Breast Cancer From AOL Health: Breast Surgery: Treating Breast Cancer Risk Factors for Breast Cancer When a Breast Cancer Expert Gets Breast Cancer http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/breast-cancer/bitter-melon?icid=main|main|dl6|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolhealth.com%2Fcondition-center%2Fbreast-cancer%2Fbitter-melon Plant FriendsCinnamon and HoneyThe Healing Properties of Honey: Afternoon Fatigue, Anxiety and Nervous Tension: helps with fertility of men and women, pain relief, Longevity, Relieves Coughs, Burns, Asthma, Hang-overs, Allergies... http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/honey.html Here's some frugal things to do with honey... (from the same website above) HONEY RECIPES:Honey Facial Moisturizer: 2 Tablespoons of honey + 2 Teaspoons of Milk. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.Summertime Honey Mask : When the humidity and/or filthy city air is producing breakouts and oily or gritty skin, a honey mask is a great solution! The recipe is as easy as they get! Simply spread a thin layer of honey over your face for about 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Honey Scrub for the Body: mix 1/2 cup of raw honey with 1/2 cup sugar or salt. Step into the shower (sans water, of course) and scrub mixture into the skin. Then shower off. Honey Scrub for the Face: 1 Tablespoon of honey mixed with 2 Tablespoons of finely ground almonds and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub gently into the skin and rinse with warm water. Skin Infections: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts to the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections. And here's some information on cinnamon... The 40-day study, of 60 people in Pakistan with Type 2 diabetes, found that one gram a day of cinnamon -- one-fourth of a teaspoon twice daily -- significantly lowered the subjects' blood sugar, triglycerides (fatty acids in the blood), LDL (or "bad") cholesterol, and total cholesterol. http://www.boston.com/news/globe/health_science/articles/2004/08/24/cinnamon_joins_cholesterol_battle/ There is evidence that cinnamon can lower levels of cholesterol and sug ar. The evidence comes from a six-week clinical trial involving 60 participants (30 men and 30 women) with type 2 diabetes. http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/cmi_1241771/code_12738 And finally... this was sent to me in an e-mail... it has a lot of frugal ideas in it. It can be found anywhere on the net... just type in honey and cinnamon into a search engine. It is found that mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures many diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. ArthritisTake one part honey to two parts of luke warm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.Or arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If drunk regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research done at the Copenhagen Univers ity, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon. Honey and half teaspoon cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain. Hair LossThose suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min and then wash the hair. Also found very effective if kept for only 5 minutes.Bladder InfectionsTake two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of luke warm water and drink it. It destroys the germs of the bladder.ToothacheMake a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be done 3 times a day daily till such time that the tooth has stopped aching.CholesterolTwo tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, if given to a cholesterol patient, it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours.As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day any chronic cholesterol is cured. As per the information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complains of cholesterol. http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/cinnamon-and-cholesterol.html ColdsThose suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon luke warm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days.This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses. InfluenzaA scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.InfertilityYunani and Ayurvedic have been using honey for years in medi cine to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before sleeping, their problem will be solved. In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women who do not conceive and to strengthen the uterus have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries.Women who cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body. A couple in Maryland, America had no children for 14 years and had left hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above, the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term. IndigestionCinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.Subhana-Allah this REALLY works. - Sister Asma@TheMuslimWoman.com Upset StomachHoney taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.GasAccording to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.Heart DiseasesMake a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast.It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that due to the increasing age the arteries and veins which lose their flexibility and get clogged are revitalized. Immune SystemDaily use of honey and cinnamon powder streng thens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.Old AgeTea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. A person 100 years old, starts performing the chores of a 20 year old.PimplesThree tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root. It keeps the skin fresh and soft.Skin InfectionsEczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections are cured by applying honey an d cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts.Weight LossDaily in the morning, 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.CancerRecent research in Japan and Australia has reveled that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.FatigueRecent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful than detrimental to the body strength. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr.Milton who has done research says that half tablespoon ho ney taken in one glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts decreasing, increases the vitality of the body within a week.Bad BreathPeople of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.Hearing LossDaily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restores hearing.http://www.naturalnews.com/021506_honey_raw_honey_water.html http://www.herbreference.com/cinnamon.html Tomato Seed Extract Thins Blood
Could millions of people trade in their daily dose of aspirin for tomato extract? On Monday, the European Commission, the European Union's legal body, confirmed that the extract, patented as Fruitflow, contributes to healthy blood flow, and allowed manufacturers to use such claims in advertising. This is the first time such a health claim has been authorized by the Commission. The allowance follows rigorous clinical trials out of Britain that suggest that foods and drinks fortified with Fruitflow have the same blood-thinning benefits as aspirin -- minus the harmful side effects, like gastric distress. In 1999, while studying the particulars of the Mediterranean diet, Professor Asim Dutta-Roy, then at Aberdeen, Scotland's Rowett Institute, found that a natural ingredient in the gel around tomato seeds promoted heart health, according to The Daily Mail. Dutta-Roy's research showed that the tomato ingredient helped smooth platelets and prevent blood clots. Blood clots form when platelets, usually smooth, produce tiny threads called fibrin, which is due to inflammation, according to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. They then adhere to one another, forming clots that block arteries leading to the heart. These clots can cause stroke or heart attack. Those at risk for such illness -- including men over 50, people with heart disease or a history of heart attacks, or those in poor health from smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, stress or high cholesterol levels -- often take aspirin for its blood-thinning effects. Aspirin therapy can also reduce the severity of a heart attack. However, aspirin increases the occurrence of gastric ulcers, abdominal bleeding and bleeding in the brain during a stroke. Fruitflow, a ripe tomato extract that comes in syrup form, has not been shown to have any such negative effects. "To date, no side effects have been demonstrated during the development of Fruitflow," Dutta-Roy told The Daily Mail. Instead, 10 studies -- two of which were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition -- reported that three grams of Fruitflow were effective just three hours after consumption, making platelets smoother while leaving the rest of the blood able to clot normally in the case of injury. Regular tomato juice is subjected to multiple processing methods that degrade the gel ingredient, rendering it far less effective than its concentrated form. Plain tomatoes are also less effective because the body must slowly digest all parts of the fruit. Fruitflow is now used in Sirco Fruit Juice, a brand only available in Britain. Its manufacturers hope to introduce the colorless, tasteless, fat- and protein-free syrup to other foods like yogurt and margarine, and to sell it in tablet and capsule forms. http://www.aolhealth.com/healthy-living/longevity/fruitflow-tomato-seeds-blood-thinner?icid=main|main|dl6|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolhealth.com%2Fhealthy-living%2Flongevity%2Ffruitflow-tomato-seeds-blood-thinner Dr. John Cannell on vitamin D
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY. Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins: 1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. 2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3 When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors. 4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors. 5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system. 6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc. 7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. 8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction. 9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications. 10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. 11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. CANCER CELLS FEED ON: a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt. b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus.. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved. c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment.. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering.. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. 16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells. 1. No plastic containers in micro. 2. No water bottles in freezer. 3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Cast le Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.. Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. Seasonal Simmers from Airmed WindsongSimmers are a special mixture of herbs and spices, which are combined into a blend or potion, created to bring the power of aromatherapy and intention into your life. They are also designed to capture the attention of those around you and creates a wonderful tea.Based on folk remedies, grandma's recipes and the ingredients provided by nature, these simmers are recipes used to make your kitchen smell delightful. They can be used along with a "special intention" and later, can even be enjoyed as tea! Christmas Blend Used for: scenting the kitchen/any room with aromatherapy for the holidays, inviting Winter, warming a chill, tonifying the kidneys. -Blend 4-8 cups of water with: -3 cinnamon sticks -8-10 cloves -For a warmer, spicier concoction, add 4-6 slices of raw ginger or a tsp. of dried ginger. Slowly simmer on the stove. Allow the smell to permeate the room. Spring Swing Used for: scenting the kitchen/any room with aromatherapy, initiating Spring, invoking a Spring affair, a great detoxing tea. -Blend 4-8 cups of water with: -4-8 drops of Stevia -4-6 tsp. of two of the following herbs: Rosehips, Red Clover, Ginger, Nettle, Alfalfa, Dandelion, Goldenseal Leaf, Echinacea, Pan D'Arco, Burdock Slowly simmer on the stove. Allow the smell to permeate the room. Summer Simmer Used for: scenting the kitchen/any room with aromatherapy, inviting Summer, honoring the Solstice, invoking Summer love, as a cooling iced tea. -Blend 2-4 quartz of water with: -1 lemon, sliced -1 lime, sliced -sprig of mint -1 tsp. vanilla -4-6 tsp. of two of the following herbs: Jasmine flower, Chamomile flower, Chrysanthemum flower, Rose petals. Slowly simmer on the stove. Allow the smell to permeate the room. Cool and refrigerate for iced tea. Special Notes: With each simmer you can: -take advantage of their aromatic properties. -say a positive affirmation, invoking words, a special prayer or give thanks. -use them at the start of each season to give honor to yourself and your intentions for that season. -as it cools, share, drink, these simmers as a tea. -the health properties of these ingredients are appropriate for each season, relate to the internal organs and are associated by taste, temperature and color. Autumn Elegance Used for: scenting the kitchen/any room with aromatherapy, inviting Fall, honoring Halloween, as a love potion. -Blend 2-4 cups of apple cider or apple juice with: -1 apple cut into small pieces -1 pinch of nutmeg -1 cinnamon stick Slowly simmer on the stove. Allow the smell to permeate the room. Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles. Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria. Honey remedy for skin blemishes... cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure... cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head. Vinegar to heal bruises... soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process. Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... it's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain. Nature left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! Nature's Pharmacy! Amazing! Nature left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! Nature's Pharmacy! Amazing! A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food. Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys. Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility. Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
Rosemary is a magical plant By: Deborah Lipp You are what you eat, so eat well. A stupendous insight of civilizations past has now been confirmed by today's investigative, nutritional sciences. They have shown that what was once called "The Doctrine of Signatures" was astoundingly correct. It now contends that every whole food has a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function and that this pattern acts as a signal or sign as to the benefit the food provides the eater. Here is just a short list of examples of Whole Food Signatures. A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food. Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys. Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. Eggplant, Avocadoes and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility. Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics. Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries. Grapefruits, Oranges, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which was h the epithelial layers of the eyes. "The news isn't that fruits and vegetables are good for you, it's that they are so good for you, they can save your life." David Bjerklie, TIME Magazine, Oct. 2003. Life has a way of becoming hectic, and our energies quickly become stressed and jumpy. To soothe the tensions in a stressed-out household, put a ceramic pan, with some water in it, on the back burner. Add in small handfuls of lavender, roses, and cedar. Toss in some cinnamon sticks. Add a generous pinch of oak moss. For the spring or summer, use some bits of lemon peel. Allow to simmer on the back burner for as long as needed, refreshing the ingredients as necessary. (You can also use this formula in the fall and winter by switching the lemon peel to orange peel.) By: Laurel Reufner THE BETTER BANANAA professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of ananas on the brain. Read on:Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression:According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS:Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemia:High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure:This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power:200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Constipation:High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Hangovers:One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn:Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness:Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito bites:Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many p eople find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. Nerves:Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweightand at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The r eport concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. Ulcers:The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control:Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking &Tobacco Use:Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help th e body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Stress:Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack. Strokes:According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%! Warts:Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape! So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!' PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!! THESE ARE A HIT with anyone who loves to soak in the tub. Aromatic salts make water feel silky and smell great, and they also soften skin. The only drawback is they look so attractive on the bathroom shelf some people need to be convinced to actually use them. I always end up promising to give a refill next year. The basis of this homemade product is the same as the "mixed salts" or "mineral spa salts" listed on the labels of pricey commercial bath salts: They are all simply table salt, often mixed with some borax and baking soda. Relaxing Bath Salts
1/2 cup table salt Or Sea Salt. (84 more mineral found in sea salt that table salt). Mix dry ingredients together, then add essential oils. You can mix in a bowl or put salt in a plastic, self-sealing bag, add essential oils, then tightly seal the bag. Toss bag around to distribute oils. Use about 1/4 cup per bath. From Green Briar Dates
Dates have been cultivated in Africa for over 7,000 years. Dates were considered sacred in Babylon and Greece, and the Hebrews made syrup fro them as an offering to Yahweh. Ancient Persians also used the fruits to celebrate the death and resurrection of Zoroaster, a Christ figure who dates back to 500 BCE. Dried dates are considered fruits of the spiritual realm and are symbolic of the eternal resurrection of the soul. To live on dates is to be free of worldly concerns, though paradoxically, such a diet is said to make one extremely potent sexually. Offer dates to the spirits when you want to call on them. Dates are rich in boron, and boron is necessary for retaining calcium in the bones. Therefore, however much calcium you eat, if you don't eat enough boron, you put yourself in danger of osteoporosis. Dates are also high in natural aspirin. They also have a laxative effect. Dried fruits, including dates, are linked to lower rates of certain cancers, especially pancreatic cancer. Natural Headache ControlI have found that if you take a drop of pure mint oil ideally food grade ,on your finger and hold it up to a center point on the roof of your mouth for a minute your headache will go away even a migraine. - BB Flash SilvermoonOrange
Orange is masculine, and his planet is the sun. His element is fire, and his powers are love, divination, luck, and money. When you eat an orange, think of a yes/no question you want answered. Then count the seeds of the orange. If the number is even, the answer is no. If the number is odd, the number is yes. Oranges contain a quartet of compounds-limonin, limonene, limonin glucoside, and hesperidin-that show promise for blocking cancer. Plus, they contain compounds that may be able to stop heart disease even before it starts. Oranges contain powerful antioxidants, including vitamin C, and they're loaded with fiber. Orange peel can be added to prosperity powders and incense. The Chinese have long thought of oranges as symbols of luck and good fortune. Cranberries
Cranberries provide protective energy and fight off negative influences. In modern rituals, the juice is sometimes substituted for wine. It is also often used as a substitute for blood. String cranberries and hang them as a swag over your front door to protect your home from negativity. Rich in ellagic acid, an antioxidant compound that has raised high hopes in cancer research, cranberries are good to include in your diet to battle carcinogens on both ends-before and after they take hold. Ellagic acid inhibits the genetic damage that starts the cancer process and helps prevent the cells from becoming cancerous. Cranberries are rich in flavonoids, too. Flavonoids, which are antioxidants, help block damage from free radicals, harmful oxygen molecules that can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other serious conditions. Additionally, there are two compounds in cranberries that prevent bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder and urethra, thus preventing bladder infections. Lavender SprayIf you like the smell of Lavender, make an antibacterial spray by mixing about 20 drops of pure essential oil of Lavender to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend. Spray on the cutting board and don't rinse.Lentils
Lentils are masculine, and their planet is Mercury. Their element is Air, and their powers are protection, exorcism, divination, reconciliation, potency, and love. Lentils are used as a charm against evil. Carry or wear a pouch filled with them to protect yourself from negativity. Lentils are said to cure impotency if carried or eaten. Lentils are high in protein and produce less intestinal gas than most other beans. They are rich in fiber, folate, iron, and phosphorus. Soy beans
Soy beans are masculine and their planet it Mercury. Their element is Air. Considered the perfect bean, soy beans are sacred in Japan. Soymilk is made by soaking whole soy beans in water. Miso is a fermented soy bean paste. Tofu is a protein-rich coagulation of soybean extract. All these products (and edamame, of course) offer the powers of protection, divination, exorcism, wart removal, reconciliation, potency, and love. If you're a woman who wants to cast a love spell, make a circle on the ground using seven beans. Then invite your love to enter the circle or walk over it. If he agrees, he will be attracted to you. However, be careful about this, since you could be in danger of manipulation of another's free will. Soy very well could be the perfect bean! High cholesterol is a major risk for heart disease. Researchers have discovered that cultures in which soy is a staple, cholesterol levels tend to be low. The Japanese live longer than people anywhere else in the world. Japanese men have the lowest rate of death from heart attack in the world, and Japanese women are a close second. Researchers believe that soy foods increase the activity of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol receptors, "traps" on the surface of cells that seize harmful LDL molecules from the bloodstream and ship them to the liver, from where they are excreted. There is no phrase in Japanese for "heat flash", and there's a reason for that. Soy reduces menopausal symptoms to such a degree that Japanese women seldom experience them. Additionally, soy offers protection against breast cancer. The phytoestrogens in soy, which mimic a woman's natural estrogen, may help reduce the effects of the hormone in the body. Since estrogen is thought to fuel the growth of breast tumors, lower activity in the body could mean a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Soy also helps to protect men from prostate cancer. Experts suspect that soy foods, by inhibiting the effects of testosterone, help shut off the "fuel" that causes cancers to grow. But there is more to soy than phytoestrogens. Soy provides complete protein, an unusual offering for any plant food. It is a good source of calcium and of iron. It is low in fat, and the fat it has is polyunsaturated. Turmeric
Turmeric has long been used in Hawaiian magic for purification. Salt water and turmeric are mixed together then sprinkled in the area to be purified, sometimes with a leaf. Turmeric is also sometimes scattered on the floor around the circle for protection. In the laboratory, turmeric-or more specifically curcumin, which is the herb's primary pigment-has affected virtually every tumor biomarker. It has inhibited prostate cancer cells from expressing a protein linked to tumor formation while increasing a protein linked with apoptosis, or natural cell death. Curcumin has blocked production of substances that speed the spread of both colorectal and pancreatic cancer cells. It has inhibited angiogenesis, or the ability of malignant tumors to develop their own blood supply. It has counteracted the human papollpmavvirus (HPV), a main cause of cervical cancer. What's more, turmeric fights inflammation, and low-level inflammation has been found to promote cancer development. Because turmeric fights inflammation, it can help against arthritis as well. Arthritic rats given a turmeric extract showed less joint inflammation and cartilage destruction. Turmeric can also protect the brain, since in one study, Asians who ate the most curry ran the smallest risk of mental decline. This helps explain why some scientists think that curcumin may help protect against Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin's traditional role in digestive relief has also been demonstrated. In addition to killing H. pylori, the germ that fosters stomach ulcer formation, curcumin has helped keep ulcerative colitis in remission and fought giardia, a main culprit in intestinal infections worldwide. Topical use of curcumin has even repelled mosquitoes and black flies. Natural Tomato Leaf SpraySteep 10 chopped tomato leaves and 1 chopped onion in 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol for a few minutes. Use with a swab on aphids, asparagus larvae, black spot and scale insects. Natural Ant ControlAnts can be controlled indoors or out by mixing 50/50 borax and icing sugar. Ants are attracted to the sweetness and take the borax back to the nest where it will kill them. A line of cream of tarter or cayenne pepper will deter them as well. Compost TeaWhen plants need some extra boost and immediate care perk them up with nutrient rich water made by soaking a cloth bag full of compost in a watering can or barrel for a couple of days. Dilute the resulting solution to a weak-tea colour. Reuse. Strawberry
Strawberry is feminine, and her planet is Venus. Her element is water, and her deity is Freya. Her powers are love and luck. Strawberries are served to promote physical love and lust. Carry strawberry leaves in your pocket to bring good luck. Pregnant women might want to carry a packet of strawberry leaves to reduce the pain of childbirth. Strawberries retain most of the chemicals sprayed on them, which could turn this outrageously healthful fruit into a health hazard. ALWAYS buy organic strawberries for this reason. Strawberries are rich in ellagic acid, a phytochemical that has been shown to destroy hydrocarbons, potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cigarette smoke. Researchers from Tufts University in Boston and other universities evaluated 12 commonly eaten fruits to determine which had the most free-radical fighting punch. Strawberries won hands down. Strawberries are a powerhouse of vitamin C and are loaded with ellagic acid, a known cancer fighter. Natural Headache RemedyIngredients:
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower is masculine and his planet is the sun. His element is fire, and his powers are fertility, wishes, health, and wisdom. Eat sunflower seeds if you want to conceive (if you're a woman of child bearing age). If you cut a sunflower at sunset while making a wish your wish will come true. Sunflower seeds are among the best sources of phenylalanine, a chemical involved in pain control. In studies of both humans and animals, it has been found that this chemical helps to make acupuncture more effective at reducing pain. The S-adenosyl-methionine in sunflower seeds is a chemical shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties similar to those found in the over the counter medicine ibuprofen. The phytosterols in sunflower seeds help to keep LDL (bad) cholesterol low. Sunflower seeds are also an excellent source of arginine, an amino acid often recommended to men with low sperm counts. Dill
Dill is masculine and his planet is Mercury. His element is fire, and his powers are protection, money, lust, and love. Hang dill over your front door to prevent envious people from entering your house. Because dill produces so many seeds, it is known as an herb of wealth. Carry some dill seeds in your wallet to attract wealth. Added to a bath dill makes the bather irresistible. Dill stimulates lust when eaten. The compound apiole in dill is such a powerful emmenagogue that most herbalists warn pregnant women against its use in medicinal concentrations. However, if you should be having regular periods and you're not and you know you're not pregnant, dill can help your condition. Like parsley, dill is rich in chlorophyll and can help protect against bad breath. Dill is also very helpful against heartburn and gas. But again, do not use dill in large doses if you are pregnant. Asparagus
Asparagus is masculine and his element is water. His power is lust. Feed asparagus to your loved one if you'd like to enjoy a lusty evening in bed. Asparagus can help prevent birth defects and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Loaded with folate, a B vitamin that is essential for helping cells regenerate, asparagus is one of the important foods to eat if you are pregnant. Pregnant women should consume at least 600 micrograms of folate a day, as opposed to the normal 400 that most people should consume. And only five spears of asparagus provides about 110 micrograms. Folate also protects against cancer and heart disease, so everyone should eat plenty of it. Asparagus also contains another protective substance called glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cancer. It's also an excellent source of vitamin E, which is very good for the heart and may protect against type II diabetes. Pecans
Pecans are masculine and their planet is Mercury. Their element is air and their power are money and employment. To keep your job or to get one, get a small number of pecans. Shell them and eat them and while you do, visualize yourself happily working at the perfect job for you or in the job you currently have (if you're happy with it). Wrap up the shells with your resume and put it in your desk drawer at home if you're looking for work. If you're happy in your job, wrap up the shells in green cloth and put them at work someplace where they will not be found or removed. Pecans share the spotlight with walnuts when it comes to heart health. A recent study suggests that these tasty nuts, especially rich in a form of vitamin E called gamma tocopherol, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Plant foods, including pecans, are rich sources of phytochemicals that can have a unique effect on the body. Pecan consumption appears to reduce the oxidation of blood lipids. Oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol has been linked to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Cherry
Cherry is feminine and her planet is Venus. Her element is water, and her powers are love and divination. To find live, tie a strand of your hair to a blossoming cherry tree. To find out how many years you will live, run around a tree full of ripe cherries then shake it. The number of cherries that fall represents the number of years you have left. Cherry juice is also used to replace blood in some spells. Cherries offer an acceptable sugar for diabetics, and the perillyl alcohol in cherries have been shown in studies to block the formation of a variety of cancers, including those of the breasts, lungs, stomach, liver, and skin. They're also a folk remedy for gout. Though there's no scientific evidence for their efficacy in ameliorating this condition, Prevention magazine found that 67 percent of gout sufferers who tried cherries had good results. Cherries are also good sources of vitamins C and E, which can protect against heart disease. And study after study shows that people who get their vitamin E from food, as opposed to from supplements, get much better protection. Mustard
Mustard is masculine and his planet is Mars. His element is fire, and his deity is Aesculapius. His powers are fertility, protection, and mental powers. When eaten, mustard seed increases fertility in women. Place mustard seeds in a red cloth sachet to guard against colds and to increase mental powers. Sprinkle mustard seeds on the threshold of the house to protect it. Anticancer indoles are concentrated in cruciferous vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard greens, and turnips. To get the most benefit, eat these plants raw or only lightly cooked. Overcooking destroys indoles, curtailing their antiestrogen and anticancer effects. Mustard has been recognized for centuries as a decongestant and expectorant. It helps break up mucus and is a good remedy for congestion due to colds. It's also antibacterial. It helps to rev up the metabolism, butning off extra calories. Lavender
Lavender is masculine and his planet is Mercury. His element is air, and his powers are love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, and peace. Clothing rubbed with lavender flowers or lavender in a drawer with clothes attracts love. However, lavender worn in a sachet with rosemary promotes chastity. Burned, lavender flowers induce sleep. Smelling lavender brings long life. Place lavender under your pillow while thinking of a wish just before retiring. If in the morning you have dreamed of anything pertaining to your wish your wish will come true. However, if you cannot remember your dreams or your dreams had nothing to do with your wish, your desire will not be manifest. Commission E in Germany (our equivalent of the food and rug administration) recommends lavender for insomnia, and many British hospitals use lavender oil to induce sleep in their patients. Lavender oil is aromatherapy's top treatment for pain as well. Rubbed on a wound, lavender oil will immediately ease the pain. This is because the linalool and linalyl aldehyde in lavender oil reduce the flow of nerve impulses, including those that transmit pain. Lavender oil has also been used successfully with almond oil topically as a treatment for psoriasis. A douche using lavender oil is also helpful against vaginitis. Just put a few drops in a sitz bath or a douche. However, do not ingest lavender oil, since even a small amount can be toxic.
Other tips from Christine Fisher Chris -- saw your post on wasps. Friends of mine hang (under their eaves) small brown paper bags (lunch bag size) and stuff it loosely with crumpled newspaper. Evidently to wasps, it looks like another wasps' nest, so they avoid the territory. My friends says it works like a charm. Thought I would try this on my balcony this year. Blueberries
Blueberry, also called bilberry has the power of protection. Place some blueberries under the doormat to keep undesirable energy out of your house. Eat blueberries when you're under psychic attack. This gets the protection inside of you where it can be most powerful. Blueberries can help prevent cataracts, ward off cancer, prevent constipation, and reduce the risk of infection. The ellagic acid in blueberries helps prevent cellular changes that can lead to cancer. Ellagic acid is a powerful antioxidant, which means it can reduce the damage done by free radicals. It also detoxifies carcinogens. Blueberries are also high in vitamin C, another antioxidant. Vitamin C is water soluble, and so must be consumed every day. And getting an ample amount of this nutrient helps reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease as well as protect the eyes from cataracts. And, because blueberries are so high in fiber, they help to prevent constipation. Savory
Savory is masculine and his planet is Mercury. His element is air and his powers are mental powers. Carry savory or wear it on occasions when you want to be particularly sharp mentally. Europeans use savory, a member of the mint family, in their bean dishes to reduce flatulence. Cashews
Cashews are masculine, and their planet is the sun. Their element is fire, and their power is money. Cashews are used in prosperity and money spells. In cooking they are used to increase the energy level of the dish. Like all nuts, cashews are loaded with protein, fiber, vitamin E, and healthy fats. And so they can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, protect against heart disease and help prevent cancer. Cabbage
Cabbage is feminine and her planet is the moon. Her element is water, and her power is luck. Cut a cabbage in half if you're arguing with a significant other, and the argument will be settled. To have good luck in marriage, plant a cabbage the first thing after the wedding ceremony. In Medieval Europe, good neighbors brought cabbage soup to newlyweds on the first morning after their wedding to insure that their love would take hold. The indole-3-carbinol and sulphoraphane in cabbage help prevent breast cancer as well as prostate and colon cancers. A good source of folate, cabbage helps prevent heart disease and birth defects as well. And cabbage is loaded with antioxidants, including beta-carotene, which can help prevent cataracts, and vitamin C. Peas
Peas are feminine and their planet is Venus. Their element is earth, and their powers are love and money. Shelling peas brings fortune and profit in business. If an unmarried woman finds a pod with exactly nine peas, she should hang it over the door. The first eligible man to walk under the door will be her future husband. The cancer-fighting compound in peas is called chlorophyllin, which is the pigment responsible for giving peas their color. This compound, related to chlorophyll, has a special molecular structure that allows it to grab cancer-causing chemicals in the body. Research shows that eating peas can bring down levels of triglycerides, blood fats that play a role in heart disease. And, since they're loaded with fiber, peas also help to control cholesterol. High in vitamin C, peas also help to ward off infections Carrot
Carrot is masculine and his planet is Mars. His element is fire, and his powers are fertility and lust. Carrot seeds, when eaten, help a woman to become pregnant. Carrots are also eaten to promote lust and to cure impotence. Carrots are also used to dispel illusions. The beta-carotene in carrots aids night vision. It also protects against macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Evidence shows that eating large amounts of carrots and other fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene and related compounds may reduce the risk of heart disease. And the alpha-carotene in carrots helps fight cancer. But always add a little fat to carrots when you eat them. Beta-carotene (like the lycopene in cooked tomatoes) needs a small amount of fat to make the trip through your intestinal wall and into your body. Dandelion
Dandelion is masculine and his planet is Jupiter. His element is air, and his deity is Hecate. His powers are divination, calling spirits, and making wishes come true. The root, roasted and ground like coffee, is used to make tea. This infusion will promote psychic powers. The same tea, steaming and placed beside the bed, will call spirits. Dandelion, buried in the northwest corner of the house, brings favorable winds. Dandelion is loaded with boron, and so can keep bones strong. Its flowers are an excellent source of lecithin and may protect against Alzheimer's disease. If you have a bladder infection dandelion won't cure it, but it will help flush the bladder out, taking some bacteria with it. Dandelion is also good for the liver. The root has been used for centuries as a cure for jaundice, and for centuries dandelion has been successfully used against pneumonia and other upper respiratory infections. Sorrel is feminine and her planet is Venus. Her element is earth, and her powers are healing. Carry the dried leaves of wood sorrel to prevent heart disease. Fresh wood sorrel placed in a sick room aids in the recuperation from wounds and illnesses. The flavonoids in sorrel may be useful deterrents against cancer and help to enhance the body's immune system. Sorrel can actually kill some cancer cells. In cultures where sorrel is consumed daily dramatic reductions in triglyceride levels have been noticed. Elevated levels of triglycerides are associated with heart disease. Sorrel water can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and thus reduce the risk of heart disease. A diuretic, sorrel also helps to wash toxins out of the body. Sesame
Sesame is masculine, and his planet is the sun. His element is fire, and his powers are money and lust. A jar of sesame seeds left open in the house draws cash. Change the seeds once a month. Sesame seeds, eaten, inspire lust. Sesame seeds are loaded with antioxidants and other therapeutic chemicals, including phytosterols that can be absorbed into the bloodstream, nudging out some of the cholesterol that's there. In my data base, the food that shows up the highest in phytosterols (based on dry weight) is sesame seeds. The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. PP 15, 318 Cilantro
Cilantro's element is fire, and its powers are intelligence, love, lust, and fidelity. Eaten, cilantro boosts intelligence. Mix it with love sachets to keep your sweetheart lusting after only you. Cilantro is one of the many herbs useful for amenorrhea, the lack of regular periods in women who should be experiencing them. The Green Pharmacy by David A. Duke, Ph.D. P 53 Cilantro is rich in beneficial phytonutrients, flavonoids and active phenolic acid compounds, which may be responsible for many of its health benefits. Cilantro and its seeds (called coriander) have been found to help control blood sugar, lower cholesterol and fight inflammation and free radicals. Cilantro may also have antimicrobial properties. Cilantro contains a diuretic that reduces blood pressure and eases headaches. Shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are masculine and their element is earth. They are eaten to acquire strength and courage. Dried shiitakes, carried in a pocket or on your body, will also bring your courage. Shiitake mushrooms contain a polysaccharide, or complex sugar, called lentinan. Polysaccharides are large molecules that are similar in structure to bacteria. When you eat them, your immune system starts amassing an army of infection-fighting cells. In essence, these mushrooms fool the immune system into kicking into action. When dried shiitake mushroom powder has been fed to animals with cancer, the mushrooms can inhibit tumor growth. All mushrooms offer two important B vitamins - niacin and riboflavin - that are not often found in vegetables. Dried shiitakes have a higher nutrient concentration. Corn
Corn is feminine and her planet is Venus. Her element is Earth, and her powers are luck, divination, and protection. She symbolizes the eternal return of life and the abundance of nature and is considered one of the seven sacred grains. Place an ear of corn in the cradle to protect the child from negative forces. A bunch of cornstalks hung over a mirror brings good luck into the house. Corn has anticancer and antiviral activity, possibly because of its protease inhibitors. It has estrogen-boosting capabilities as well. Corn also helps to lower cholesterol levels. Corn delivers a boost in energy for very few calories - about 83 per ear. However, to get the most out of corn you should eat the entire kernel. Your best bet is to eat it frozen, since, however, conscientious you are about eating it off the cob, you're going to leave a good bit of it behind. Rice
Rice is masculine and his planet is the sun. His element is air, and his powers are protection, rain, money, and fertility. Throwing rice into the air will bring rain. We throw rice at weddings to bring the couple prosperity and fertility. Place some rice on the roof to protect against all misfortunes. Rice can reduce cholesterol. It can lower the risk of colon cancer and keep digestion regular. The most nutritious kind of rice is brown rice, which contains abundant amounts of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and essential B vitamins. Plus the outer layer of brown rice, called the bran, contains a compound called oryzanol that has been shown to reduce the body's production of cholesterol. Coriander
Coriander, which is actually the seeds of the cilantro plant, is masculine. His planet is Mars, and his element is fire. His powers are love, health, and healing. Add powdered coriander seeds to warm wine to make a potent love potion. If a pregnant woman eats coriander her future child will be ingenious. Coriander's essential oil is carminative, antiseptic, bactericidal, fungicidal, and a muscle relaxant and so are used to soothe indigestion. It's also helpful against amenorrhea, the lack of regular periods in women who should be having them. Almond
Almond is masculine and his planet is Mercury. His element is air, and his powers are money, prosperity, and wisdom. Climbing an almond tree is said to ensure success in business. Eating almonds will bring wisdom to the partaker. Magic wands are made of almond wood. Placing almonds in your pocket will lead you to treasure. High in boron, almonds can help keep your bones strong and help cool the heat flashes that come with menopause. They're high in dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats, which make them an effective tonic for the heart. They protect against cancers of the breast and prostate and keep the brain sharp. Almond oil, rubbed into the skin, protects against wrinkles. Apricot
Apricot is feminine and her planet is Venus. Her element is water, and her power is love. Eat the fruit to obtain a sweet disposition or use the juice in love potions. The pits are carried to attract love. Containing the highest trove of beta-carotene of any fruit known to humanity, apricot protects the eyes. It also helps prevent heart disease. The Chinese used to nibble on apricots to increase fertility, and, in fact, they are high in minerals needed for the production of sex hormones. Along with its rich supply of beta-carotene, apricots offer copious amounts of lycopene, which protects against breast and prostate cancer. They are also high in dietary fiber. 
Walnut is masculine, and his planet is the sun. His element is fire, and his powers are health, mental powers, and infertility. If a woman wants to postpone getting pregnant she should place in her bodice the number of roasted walnuts to correspond with the number of years she would prefer to remain childless. If someone gives you a bag of walnuts you will see all your wishes fulfilled. Walnuts are a good source of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids. The fiber and heart-friendly fats in walnuts make them a natural for reducing LDL or bad cholesterol. Walnuts also help protect against cancer, particularly cancers of the prostate and breast. For serious protection against melanoma, eat a diet rich in garlic, flaxseed, foods that provide quercetin (like onions and apples), and walnut oil. Grape
Grapes are feminine, and their planet is the moon. Their element is water, and their deities are Dionysus, Bacchus, and Hathor. Their powers are fertility, garden magic, mental powers, and money. Place grapes on the altar for money spells. Painting pictures of grapes on garden walls insures fertility. Eating grapes or raisins increases fertility and strengthens mental powers. Red and purple grapes [and the raisins made from them] can lower cholesterol, decrease high blood pressure, and decrease the risk of heart disease. The flavonoids in red and purple grapes are among the most powerful antioxidants around, and the resveratrol in them helps prevent cancer. Apple
Apple is feminine and her planet is Venus. Her element is water, and her deities are Venus, Dionysus, Olwen, Apollo, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Diana, Zeus, and Iduna. Her powers are love, healing, garden magic, and immortality. Samhain is sometimes called the feast of the apples, since Samhain altars often are piled high with apples, the fruit of immortality. They are considered a symbol of the soul, and so they are often buried on Samhain so that those who will be reborn in the spring will have food to sustain them during the winter. To ensure everlasting love with your special one, share an apple with him or her or simply hold an apple in your hand until it is warm and give it to your beloved. If you are unattached, cut an apple in two and count the seeds. An even number of seeds means marriage soon. If one of the seeds is cut, you'll have a stormy relationship. If two are cut you'll be widowed soon. If there is an odd number of seeds you will not find your true love for the foreseeable future. Apples can lower the risk of heart disease, prevent constipation, control diabetes, and prevent cancer. Much of the apple's healing quercetin (a powerful antioxidant) resides in the skin, so don't peel apples if you can help it. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is masculine, and his planet is Jupiter. His element is fire, and his powers are money, luck, health, and fidelity. Nutmegs have long been carried as a good luck charm, and are often strung with star anise and tonka beans for a potent herbal necklace. Nutmegs are carried to ward off rheumatism, cold sores, neuralgia, boils, and sties. Grind nutmeg and sprinkle it onto green candles before lighting to attract money. Herbs have long been used as deodorants. Not surprisingly, those most often chosen are the ones that have antibacterial action against the microorganisms that make our apocrine secretions smell unpleasant. Nutmeg numbers among these plants, as do coriander, oregano, rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and bay. Caraway
Caraway is masculine, and his planet is Mercury. His element is air, and his powers are protection, lust, health, anti-theft, and mental powers. Place a small bag of caraway seeds in a child's bed to protect him or her from illness or put them into a sachet to attract a mate. An object into which you can place a few caraway seeds will be protected from theft. Amenorrhea is the medical term for the lack of menstruation in women who should be having regular periods. If you are sure you are not pregnant, caraway is one of the many herbs you can try. Others include carrot, celery, dill, turmeric, coriander, cilantro, cumin, ginger, hyssop, oregano, parsley, pennyroyal, tarragon, or thyme. Pear
Pear is feminine, and her planet is Venus. Her element is water, and her powers are lust and love. Pears are eaten to induce sexual arousal. Pear wood is often used for magic wands. Pears help to lower cholesterol, improve memory and alertness, and to keep bones strong. Because they are so rich in insoluble fiber, pears can also ward off colon cancer. The boron in pears helps to keep bones strong. As is the case with most fruits and vegetables, however, most of the nutrition in pears is in the skin, so try not to peel them. Bay
Bay is masculine and his planet is the sun. His element is fire, and his deities are Aesculapius, Apollo, Ceres, Fannus, and Eros. His powers are healing, protection, purification, strength, and psychic powers. Bay leaves are placed beneath the pillow to induce prophetic dreams. Bay leaves can be worn in an amulet to protect against all evil. If you write a wish on a bay leaf and then burn it your wish will come true. Bay leaves help the body to use insulin more efficiently and so are very helpful for diabetics. Bay also numbers among the herbs that help ward off body odor (See nutmeg). Bay's aromatic oil contains a powerful bacteria killing chemical that is used in many dentifrices. Check the toothpaste label for bay if you'd like to take advantage of the herb's decay-preventing potential. Bay can also help prevent migraines. Cumin
Cumin's magical properties include peace, protection, fidelity, exorcism, and protection from theft. Sprinkle some cumin seeds across the doorway before noon in Sundays to ensure a week of peace. Cumin can also protect you from pain. It contains seven pain-relieving compounds, three that are anti-inflammatory and four that combat swelling. Cumin is also helpful for amenorrhea (the lack of regular periods in women who should be getting them). Cumin also contains eleven anti-bacterial compounds. Orange
Orange is masculine and his planet is the sun. His element is fire and his powers are love, divination, luck, and money. Dried orange peels and seeds are used in prosperity packets. When you eat an orange, think of a question that can be answered with yes or no then count the seeds. An odd number of seeds means yes; an even number means no. Orange juice is often drunk at rituals in lieu of wine. Oranges can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, stop inflammation, and fight cancer. The limonene in oranges can help prevent lung and breast cancers. And, of course, oranges are a wonderful source of vitamin C, a water soluble vitamin that must be ingested every day. Lemon
Lemon is feminine and her planet is the moon. Her element is water, and her powers are longevity, purification, love, and friendship. Lemon juice, mixed with water, is used to wash amulets, jewelry, and other magical objects which have been obtained second-hand. (Actually, because even new items are handled by many before they finally find a home, it's a good idea to wash them before using them too.) This wash ensures that all negativity is cleansed from the object. Lemon flowers and dried peel are often used in lust sachets, and lemon pie served to a spouse ensures fidelity. Lemons are often used as poppets. The limonene in lemons can help prevent lung and breast cancers. Lemons, loaded with vitamin C, can help heal cuts and bruises. Lemons can also help you guard against heart disease. Tarragon
Tarragon's name comes from the Latin dracunculus, meaning little dragon. In the Middle Ages people believed that whoever carried a branch of tarragon need fear no dragon or snake, and for centuries it was used to cure the bites of poisonous creatures. Now Tarragon is used for protection, to banish fear, and for cleansing. Plant tarragon around your house to protect against evil. Or, because tarragon winters well indoors, plant it in a pot and put it in a window with southern exposure for the same purpose. Tarragon numbers among the herbs that can help treat high blood pressure. It's also helpful against amenorrhea (the lack of regular periods in women who should have them). Ancient Greeks used tarragon to cure toothaches, and, in fact, it contains the natural anesthetic eugenol. Used with Chamomile, tarragon makes a soothing tea that will help you sleep. It also stimulates appetite and relieves indigestion. Hyssop
Hyssop is masculine and his planet is Jupiter. His element is fire, and his powers are purification and protection. Hyssop, the most widely used herb for purification, can be added to baths in sachets or sprinkled onto objects or people to cleanse them. Hang some hyssop in your home to protect it from negativity. Hyssop contains a compound called MAR-10. Studies have shown that in test tubes this compound inhibits HIV replication with no toxicity to healthy cells. Actually, hyssop contains many antiviral compounds and us useful in treating herpes as well. Turnip
Turnip is feminine, and her planet is the moon. Her element is the earth, and her powers are protection and ending relationships. On Samhain large turnips were hollowed out and candles lit within. These were carried or placed in windows to scare off evil spirits. Turnips placed anywhere in the home ward off evil. Turnip wards off cancer as well. Turnip is a cruciferous vegetable and is loaded with anti-cancer indoles. But eat turnips and all other cruciferous vegetables lightly cooked. Heavy cooking tends to destroy indoles, curtailing their anti-cancer effects. Clove
Clove is masculine, and his planet is Jupiter. His element is fire, and his powers are protection, exorcism, love, and money. Burned as incense, cloves attract riches. Also burn cloves as incense to stop people from gossiping about you. Cloves have been used for centuries to relieve pain, especially toothaches. And cloves have antiseptic properties. Clove oil is a potent blood thinner, as are allspice, carrot seed, cinnamon, bay, and marjoram. Chili Pepper
Chili pepper is masculine, and his planet is Mars. His element is fire, and his powers are fidelity, hex-breaking, and love. To prevent your mate from straying, buy two large dried chili peppers. Cross them and tie together with red ribbon. Place this beneath your pillow to keep your spouse faithful. If you've been cursed, scatter red pepper powder around your home to break the spell. Chili peppers clear the sinuses and relieve congestion. They help to prevent ulcers and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Chilies help to reduce blood cholesterol levels and help to thin the blood. And the capsaicin in chili peppers appears to shield the stomach lining from ulcer-causing acids and alcohol by stimulating the flow of protective digestive juices. Beans
Beans are masculine, and their planet is Mercury. Their element is air, and their deities are Demeter and Cardea. Their powers are protection, exorcism, reconciliation, potency, and love. Dried beans can be carried as an amulet against evil. They are used in rattles to scare evil spirits away. Because they resemble testicles, beans help cure impotency if eaten. Beans can help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels. They can help reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers and prevent heart disease in people with diabetes. Beans have been shown to contain compounds - lignans, isoflavones, saponins, phytic acid, and protease inhibitors - that have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Olive
Olive is masculine and his planet it the sun. His element is fire, and his deities are Athena, Apollo, Irene, Minerva, and Ra. His powers are healing, peace, fertility, potency, protection, and lust. The oil of the olive was burned in lamps to light temples in ancient times. Olive oil has long been used as an anointing oil and to aid in healing. Olive leaves scattered about the house spread peaceful vibrations through the place. When eaten, olives ensure fertility as well as sexual potency in men. An olive branch hung over the door protects the house against all evil and hung on the chimney protects the house from lightning. While olive oil is well known for protecting the heart, it may play a role in protecting the breasts as well. Studies show that women who eat olive oil at least once a day had a 25 percent lower risk of breast cancer than those who did not. In fact in Greece, where women eat olive oil instead of butter or margarine, the incidence of breast cancer is much lower than among their American counterparts. It seems that the same polyphenols in olive oil that protect the heart against free radical damage also protect breast tissue from the damage free radicals can do. New Foods for Healing by Selene Yeager (Bantam Books) P 510 Tomato
Tomato is feminine, and her planet it Venus. Her element is water, and her powers are love, money, courage, and wishes. Place a red tomato on the mantle to bring prosperity. Replace it every three days. Place a red tomato on the windowsill to repel evil from the house. Eaten, tomato inspires love. Tomatoes reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. They can help prevent cataracts and keep older people active. The lycopene in tomatoes is a very powerful antioxidant. Lycopene can help prevent prostate, breast, and lung cancers. But lycopene is best absorbed when tomatoes are cooked with a little oil. So enjoy your tomato sauce! New Foods for Healing by Selene Yeager (Bantam Books) PP 72,73 Avocado
Avocado is feminine. Her planet is Venus, and her element is water. Revered by the ancient Egyptians, her powers are love, lust, and beauty. Grow a plant from an avocado pit to bring love into your home, or carry the pit to promote beauty. Magical wands made of avocado wood are powerful all-purpose instruments. Avocado is good for the arteries. It lowers cholesterol and dilates blood vessels. Its main fat, monounsaturated oleic acid (also concentrated in olive oil), acts as an antioxidant to block the artery-destroying toxicity of LDL cholesterol. Avocado is one of the richest sources of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, shown to block thirty different carcinogens and to block the proliferation of the AIDS virus in test tube experiments. Food - Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper (Harper Collins) P 474 Flax
Flax is masculine and his planet is Mercury. His element is fire, and his deity is Hulda. His powers are money, protection, beauty, psychic powers, and healing. Flax seeds are used in money spells. A few can be placed in the pocket, wallet, or purse. Or a jar should be placed on the altar and some coins and a few flax seeds added. This should be repeated each day to attract money. A bit of flax inside the shoe wards off poverty. Eaten, flaxseed improves kidney function and helps protect against heart disease and cancer. Flax seed is an incredibly rich source of compounds called lignans. While many plants contain lignans, flax seed has the absolute most - at least 75 times more than any other plant food. This is important because lignans may have powerful antioxidant properties that can help block the damaging effects of harmful oxygen molecules called free radicals. These molecules are thought to cause changes in the body that can lead to cancer. barley
Barley is feminine and her planet is Venus. Her element is Earth, and her powers are love, healing, and protection. Barley may be scattered around the ground to keep evil away. Use barley in your love spells. Hulled (not pearled) barley can help lower cholesterol, reduce the formation of blood clots, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of some cancers. Barley is extremely rich in selenium and vitamin E, which, research suggests, offer protection against cancer. The tocotrienols in hulled barley are potentially more powerful antioxidants than any other chemical version of vitamin E, and they fight heart disease in two ways. They help stop free radical oxidation of LDL cholesterol, making it less likely to stick to artery walls. And they act on the liver to reduce the body's production of cholesterol. Here's a handy dandy chart that I got as an attachment in an email.SHARE THIS CHART
Potato
Potato is feminine, and her planet is the moon. Her element is earth, and her powers are image making and healing. Potatoes are often used as poppets. Carry a potato in your pocket to protect against toothaches, warts, rheumatism, and gout. Good sources of potassium, potatoes help to control high blood pressure and help ward of diabetes. They also offer protection against cancer. But don’t peel them. There’s an anti-cancer compound in the peels called chlorogenic acid. Onion
Onion is masculine, and his planet it Mars. His element is fire, and his deity is Isis. His powers are protection, exorcism, healing, money, prophetic dreams, and lust. Never throw away onion skin or you’ll throw away prosperity. Instead burn the skin in a cook stove or a fireplace to bring prosperity to your house. If you place onion chunks around the house they will absorb illness and other evils. My husband is allergic to bee stings. His mother used to carry a cut onion with her when they went out in summer, and if he got stung she’d place the cut onion on the sting, which drew out the venom. He never suffered an allergic reaction as long as she had an onion. Onion can help raise helpful HDL cholesterol and lower blood pressure. It can relieve congestion, reduce inflammation, and reduce the risk of many cancers. Mint
Mint is masculine, and his planet is Mercury. His element is air, and his deities are Pluto and Hecate. His powers are money, lust, healing, travel, exorcism, and protection. Mint has historically been used to heal headaches. Just rub it on you forehead. Fresh mint laid on the altar will attract beneficial spirits. Place mint in a vase with water to attract prosperity. Mint has traditionally been used to treat gallstones. In fact, an over the counter remedy for gallstones in Britain contains chemicals from several members of the mint family. In a study in Britain this remedy helped a quarter of the people who used it. A cup of weak mint tea also relieves morning sickness. But don't overdo. Too much mint can cause a miscarriage. Celery
Celery is masculine and his planet is Mercury. His element is fire, and his powers are mental powers, lust, and psychic powers. Chew the seeds to aid concentration or put into spell pillows to induce sleep. Burned with orris root, celery seeds increase psychic powers. The ancient Romans used to wear wreaths of celery to protect them from hangovers. That may or may not work, but eating celery can help reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of cancer. In fact, celery has been used for centuries in Asia as a folk remedy for high blood pressure. It turns out that the phthalide in celery does relax the muscles of the arteries that regulate blood pressure, allowing the vessels to dilate. The same chemical reduces stress hormones in the blood. Black Pepper
Black pepper is masculine. His planet is Mars and his element is fie. His powers are protection and exorcism. When worn, pepper frees the mind of envious thoughts. Mixed with salt and scattered about the house, it repels evil. Black pepper contains many healing chemicals, including pipernol, piperdine, piperetine, and chavicine. These four phytochemicals, along with others as yet unidentified, are thought to help stop the cancer process. They probably work by stopping the mold aflatoxin from binding to DNA to start the cancer process. So grind that pepper and sprinkle it freely! Ginger
Ginger is masculine, and his planet is Mars. His element is fire, and his powers are money, success, love, and power. Eat ginger before a ritual, and you'll be "fired up" with power. Plant a whole ginger root in your yard to attract money or sprinkle powdered ginger into your pockets or wallet. Medically, ginger can help prevent motion sickness, relieve a migraine headache, reduce clotting, and soothe an upset stomach. Ginger may ease arthritis pain the same way it relieves migraines - by blocking the formation of inflammation-causing prostaglandins that cause pain and swelling. Marjoram
Marjoram is masculine. His planet is Mercury, and his element is air. His deities are Venus and Aphrodite. His powers are protection, love, happiness, health, and money. Grow it near your ho use for protection. Put a sprig in a money sachet and wear it on your person or carry it in your wallet. Marjoram is very helpful against indigestion and amenorrhea, the medical term for lack of menstruation in women who should be having regular periods. A member of the mint family, marjoram is loaded with antioxidants. Oregano
Oregano is masculine. His deity is Aphrodite, and his element is fire. His magical properties include prophetic dreams. Slip some oregano under your pillow if you want to dream of the love of your life. The ancients used to plant oregano on graves to ensure the dead eternal happiness and peace. Of the tests done in the mint family, of which oregano is a member, the pizza herb was the one that had the greatest total antioxidant activity. This is due, in part, to rosmarinic acid, a compound with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. Oregano is definitely an herb for you if you have arthritis. Rosemary
Rosemary is masculine. His planet is the sun, and his element is fire. His powers are protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, and youth. Place rosemary in a sleep sachet and tuck it under your pillow for a good night's sleep and to drive away nightmares. Rosemary is widely used as a substitute for frankincense. Rosemary has a long history as a memory-enhancing herb and is used in treating Alzheimer's patients. Rosemary, rich in rosmarinic acid, contains many antioxidant compounds that help mop up free-radicals. For centuries rosemary was used to preserve meats. Basil
Basil is masculine. His planet is Mars and his deities are Vishnu and Erzulie. His powers are love, exorcism, wealth, flying, and protection. Include basil in your money sachet along with marjoram. The scent of basil is said to ease tensions between lovers. So if you're quarrelling rub basil on your skin to mollify tempers. So if you're quarrelling rub basil on your skin to mollify tempers. Rubbing basil on your skin can also repel insects, and in India and Africa people have used basil as an insect repellent for centuries. Basil is also helpful against emphysema, headache, high blood pressure, warts, and bad breath Chives
Chives are good in spells for protection, exorcism, healing, money, prophetic dreams, and lust. Add chives to your money sachet along with marjoram and basil. Plant them around your house for protection. Planted around rose bushes, chives (and garlic) help protect roses from Japanese beetles. Along with their cousins, onions, leeks, and garlic, chives can help prevent heart disease and cancer. They can also help to treat high blood pressure. Allspice
Allspice is masculine. His planet is Mars, and his element is fire. His powers are money, luck, and healing. Burn allspice if you want to attract money or sprinkle it into your purse. To attract good luck put it in a sachet and carry it on your person. For healing simply inhale the aroma of burning allspice. Eating allspice can help ease indigestion as well. Cinnamon
Adding cinnamon to your food helps you use insulin more efficiently, and so it is good for diabetics. Just don’t combine it with sugar. It helps against nausea and heartburn as well. Garlic
Oats
Parsley
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