Lemons

Lemons, Citrus Limon are little powerhouses of health. They may have a sour taste but they are very good for your health. Lemons began as a cross between limes and citrons. They are considered evergreen shrubs and were originally from Asia. During the California gold rush in 1849, they saved the miners from scurvey and were quite costly, up to $1.00 per lemon. As far as nutrition goes, they contain quite an impressive list of nutrients. They have Vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamin, magnesium, iron, pantothenic acid, fiber, pectin, vitamin B6, potassium, calcium, folate and copper.

Lemons are good for many things. They have antioxidant properties that fight free radicals which are substances generated by cell metabolism that need to be neutralized in order to be healthy. They help keep your skin clear by supporting your liver in removing toxins from the body which helps to decrease blemishes. Lemons are good for your digestion, and for keeping your pH in balance. They contain 22 compounds that fight cancer. One of these is limonene which has been shown to fight cancer in animal studies. They contain potassium which helps keep your blood pressure down and they they have negative ions which increase the flow of oxygen to your brain. Lemons also contain fiber which helps fight diabetes and heart disease. Lemons are antibacterial, antiviral and boost the immune system.

Lemons and lemon juice are used extensively in cooking for everything to lemon bars and lemon pie to salad dressing. One problem is the large amount of sugar that is added to decrease the sour taste. The sugar negates the healthful properties of the lemon. Lemon water is very good for your health and so is lemonade. Lemonade can be made with stevia to take care of the sugar problem and can be mixed with other fruits to add interesting flavor, like raspberry, or cherry.

One very good remedy to help detox your liver is to have warm lemon water at the beginning of each day. Take the juice of 1 or 2 lemons, depending on the size of the lemon, and mix with 8 to 10 oz.of warm or room temperature water. Drink this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and wait at least 10 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. This helps to detox your liver, increase the flow of bile and and improve digestion. Be sure to use fresh lemons. Lemon juice that comes in a bottle loses its nutrients in processing and over time.  I have been using this remedy for several months and it has definitely helped my digestion and elimination. If you are worried about the acid of the lemon destroying the enamel on your teeth you can use a straw to drink it. Another way to use lemon is as lemon tea. Lemon tea can be used by itself, or added to other teas and blends for flavor. It is a great source of vitamin C for winter colds and flu.

Now I realize that there some people who just can't handle unsweetened lemon juice first thing in the morning and that is fine. There are plenty of other sources of vitamin C. Just because I recommend something does not mean you have to do it. Take what fits you and your situation and leave the rest, but for those who are lemon lovers this is a great way to accent your health and help prevent disease.



Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net
Web site: www.valerielull.com 

What are Nervines?

Nervines are herbs that are used to strengthen and tone the nervous system, they also regulate and rehabilitate nerve cells.There are many herbs that are nervines. There are two kinds of nervines, stimulating nervines that make you more alert, and sedative nervines that have a calming effect and can induce relaxation and sleep. I'm going to talk about some of the most popular herbs for nerves.

1. Catnip, Napeta Cataria

Catnip is a mild nervine. It really stimulates the nervous system of cats, but it does not have the same effect with people. It is good for mild depression, headaches, insomnia, and nervousness. It is especially recommended for calming down overactive children and when combined with chamomile and mint it can make a good remedy. Here is a formula:

1oz. catnip
1oz. chamomile, both German or Roman are ok.
1oz. peppermint
Mix the herbs and store in an airtight container. When needed use 1-t in a cup of boiling water.
Always check with your health care provider when using with children as their needs are different than an adults needs.

2. Hops, Humulus lupulos

Hops has many uses besides the making of beer. It is useful for insomnia, nerve strain, nervousness, and restlessness associated with nervous tension headaches. As a sleep remedy it relaxes you without any known side effects. It can be used for children and a pillow can be made which is a safe, pleasant way to induce sleep in restless babies. There is a precaution about using hops for depression and some people are allergic to hops.

3. St. John's Wort, Humulus lupulus

The word "wort" is the old English word for plant and has nothing to do with warts. This popular herb is used a lot for mild to moderate depression. However, if you have severe clinical depression it is not so effective. Also, DO NOT take St. John's Wort if you are taking antidepressants since the two do not mix well. It is a mild sedative and small quantities have a tranquilizing effect on humans.

4. Valerian, Valeriana officinalis

Valerian is perhaps best known for helping insomnia. This herb has a tranquilizing effect on the nervous system, but is not habit forming. It is also good for stress, mental strain, nervous irritation, traumatic injuries with pain, and migraines. There are several studies that show that valerian taken orally reduces stress and social anxiety. It is important to use the stated dose and not take more as it can cause headaches and vomiting. It is better to take small quantities frequently than to increase the dose. Valerian does not taste or smell that appetizing so it may be better to take it in capsuel form rather than as a tea.

5. Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba

Ginko is thought to be one of the oldest plants on the planet and has been characterized as a living fossil. This herb has been used in China for thousands of years. Ginko plays a role as an anti-stress herb and is used for concentration, depression, loss of memory and is used in Germany for Alzheimer's disease and Attention Deficit Disorder. It seems to increase blood circulation in the brain and increases learning capacity.There is so much to say about Ginkgo that I could write a whole article on Ginko alone. If you are having surgery it is best to stop ginko intake two to four weeks before the surgery as it can cause excessive bleeding. Be sure to discuss the use of ginkgo with your health care provider as it does not mix with some drugs.

Remember before starting any herbal remedy to check with your health care provider. Your individual situation may call for a specific course of action and some drugs and herbs do not mix. Also, use caution if you are pregnant or nursing.

What remedies do you use for anxiety? Your comments are welcome.

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@clearwire.net
Web Site: www.valerielull.com

Hibiscus

I must admit, the first time I tried hibiscus tea I did not like it. It was sour and had a zing to it. As I got older and more interested in herbal teas and health I learned to like it, though it still seems a bit sour. The taste can be improved with a healthful sweetener or by blending it with other herbal teas. However, I've grown to like the sour taste. Some people like it. I sip it in small sips when I drink it.

Despite all of this, hibiscus appears to have some very good properties that assist in maintaining health. Hibiscus is used for nerve problems, fluid retention, circulatory problems, a diuretic (increases flow of urine), a gentle laxative, loss of appetite, colds and heart diseases. Some scientists think hibiscus may lower mild blood pressure problems, and help relieve spasms of the stomach and uterus. It also may kill bacteria and worms. Hibiscus has nutritional value, it contains vitamins A and C, thiamin and it also contains minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

In Egypt the flower portion of the hibiscus plant is used for a common drink called Karkade. This plant has been used to make jams, spices, soups, sauces and the flowers are used in making medicine. Hibiscus can improve the flavor, odor and the appearance of tea blends Some authorities think drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea during the day is best for mild  hypertension issues.


It is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Since it can work on the uterus it possibly can cause miscarriage. It may interfere with Tylenol and other over the counter pain relievers. Always consult with your health care provider before starting its use.


Many tea companies sell blends of hibiscus with other teas and herbs for both hot and cold tea Some of these are quite good .Hibiscus tea is used both hot and iced and blending it with other teas seems to improve the taste.  I have included a simple recipe for hibiscus iced tea.


Iced hibiscus tea

32 oz. of water
Several bags of hibiscus tea (The more you use the stronger the tea)
Sweetener of choice
Ice

Place the tea bags in a saucepan with the water. Simmer 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Add ice. Enjoy the beverage. Other things can be added to enhance the flavor, lemon, lemon grass, cinnamon. Try experimenting with some of your favorite flavors.

Would you like to comment? What is your favorite hibiscus recipe?

Valerie Lull, Author

Ten Healthy Teas
Ten Spices For Health and Longevity

valerielull923@gmail.com

Website: www.valerielull.com 

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Iced Tea or Lemonade

June 10th is National Iced Tea Day and with the weather getting warmer people are thinking of cooler beverages like iced tea and lemonade to help cope with the summer heat. Both beverages have therapeutic properties and are good for you. There are a million ways to make iced tea. You can make black or green tea from the Camellia sinensis plant and add lemon or lime or whatever you desire and there a million ways to make lemonade. There's pink lemonade, raspberry lemonade, lemonade with mint, lemonade with hibiscus, and the list goes on. 

While you are drinking these delicious drinks remember there is more to them than just flavor. Lemons are good for your liver, they are loaded with vitamin C and potassium and have small amounts of B vitamins. Many people start their day with the squeezed juice of one lemon with 8 oz. of room temperature water on an empty stomach. Wait 10 minutes before eating. It cleanses the body of toxins and has been used for everything from lowering blood sugar to weight loss. 

Iced Tea is a good selection to beat the heat. It is easy to brew up a pot of green tea and add the juice of one lemon. Add the ice and stick in a sprig of mint. Green tea is good for weight loss, prevention of heart and circulation problems and may help prevent cancer. People in Japan have the highest longevity rate in the world. Many scientists think that is because of their consumption of green tea.

Black tea has therapeutic uses in it's own right and can be mixed with lemon and ginger for a tasty iced tea. There was a famous Dutch study where 805 men ages 65 to 84 received the majority of flavonoids in their diet from black tea. They were followed for 5 years.The study found a strong link between flavonoid intake and lower risk of death from heart disease.  The outcome of the study suggested that the black tea had a protective effect on the heart.

For those of you who are worried about caffeine, you can use the decaffeinated tea which is available everywhere. A serving of black tea has roughly 1/2 the caffeine of a cup of coffee and green tea has about half the amount of caffeine that is in a cup of black tea. 

Don't hesitate to write comments about this blog. Send me your favorite iced tea or lemonade recipe and I will publish it in an upcoming blog.
.

Valerie Lull, Author

Ten Healthy Teas

Lullval@clearwire.net 

Web site: www.valerielull.com 

Frequently Asked Questions

As I go about my daily life, I meet people and they ask me what I do. There are a lot of folks out there that don't know much about alternative medicine, or as I call it integrative medicine. (Use the best of both worlds) This week I decided to do a Q&A about some of the basics of herbalism for those who are just starting to understand the world of herbs.

1. What is an herb?

An herb is any plant that is used for therapeutic or culinary purposes. Many plants that we call weeds are really very useful medicinally, like dandelion, or nettles. That leads to the definition of a weed. I consider a weed to be any plant that is in a place where it is not wanted. A marigold in a vegetable garden could be considered a weed.

2. What is herbalism?

Herbalism is the study of herbs and their uses.

3. What is an herbalist? 

An herbalist is a person who studies herbs and their many uses. Some herbalists have a clinical practice where they recommend certain herbs for certain ailments. However an herbalist cannot prescribe or diagnose. Those things are for doctors and health care practitioners. Other herbalists like myself prefer to write and educate the public about the merits of using herbal remedies.

4. What is the difference between a tea, an infusion and a decoction:?

A tea is 1 teaspoon of dry herb, or 2 teaspoons of fresh herb per 1 cup of boiling water that steeps up to 10 minutes. An infusion is 1 oz. of dry herb or 2 oz. of fresh herb per 1 cup of boiling water and usually steeps for 20 minutes. A decoction is used for stems, roots and bark and is simmered in a saucepan for 20 minutes. Some decoctions go longer than others and some simmer until 1/3 of the water is gone. It all depends on what herb you want to make a decoction of. The ratio is 1 oz. dry herb or 2 oz. fresh herb.

5. Why is it recommended to keep a lid on the teapot or teacup while it is steeping?

The herbs have volatile oils in them, some have more or less oil. While your brew is steeping the oils escape in the steam and your remedy is not as potent.

6. Why did you choose to study herbs?

When I was in my early 50's I became fascinated with the whole world of alternative medicine and things one can do to promote health and longevity. I made a career change and went to the American College of Healthcare Sciences for herbal studies. I will receive my diploma in June. I would like to take their Master's program in herbal studies but I have to wait until I have the funds to make that possible. I wanted to share all the interesting things I learned with the public and help educate as many folks as possible about how to live a longer and healthier life.

I believe in integrative medicine which is the judicious use of both regular medicine and alternative medicine both as the individual situation merits it. There are some things  herbs can't help, like certain types of mental illness. Also, it is awfully handy to have a doctor around when you break a bone. Some people have really bad problems with things like blood pressure and the herbal remedies may not be enough, so some medication is warranted. Also, folks in the end stages of disease may need pain killers that herbs cannot provide. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER before changing your health routine. Many drugs  have reactions if they are stopped all at once and some herbs and drugs don't mix. The information I provide is meant for educational purposes especially for beginners, amateurs and laymen who would like to know more of the different options out there.

My first book was called Ten Healthy Teas. I am working on a second book about spices. Many spices are also herbs and are used interchangeably for therapeutic purposes and culinary purposes. I am hoping to have it out by January 2015.

I hope this makes it a little easier for folks who read my blog to understand what I am writing about. Your questions and comments are welcome.

Valerie Lull, Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Lullval@hotmail.com
Visit my website at www.valerielull.com