Herbs for Your Hair

Many of the folks that are interested in herbs and natural remedies also choose to use natural products for cosmetic and personal use. People have been using plant based preparations for hair care for thousands of years. Cleopatra used henna mixed with juniper berries to dye her hair. Greek women applied lemon to their hair and then walked in the sun to lighten it. Down through the ages a number of herbal preparations have been used for hair. Many of them are still in use today.

Elder, sage and henna, calendula and walnut, have all been used as natural hair dyes. Sage and rosemary are said to make hair grow. Many people have tried these herbs for baldness with varying results. Additional herbs for promoting hair growth include aloe vera, and burdock. Aloe cleanses the hair follicles by removing dead cells and sebum that block them and inhibit hair growth. Burdock is anti-inflammatory and promotes strong hair growth.

Olive oil moisturizes, and strengthens hair and contributes to its elasticity. A search of the internet will bring up many formulas for olive oil treatments for hair. Coconut oil is another favorite hair oil. Polynesian women have been using it for centuries. Constituents in the coconut oil strengthen and nourish the hair, preventing and repairing damage to the hair. Coconut oil is also a great moisturizer and conditioner for hair.

Here is a recipe for an itchy scalp. Mix olive oil and lemon juice and apply it to your hair. This mixture helps cleanse the scalp from dry skin and the olive oil helps to moisturize it. Use two tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of water. Massage it into your scalp. Let is sit for 20 minutes and rinse. Then shampoo your hair.


Sources:
http://www.thealternativedaily.com/13-natural-beauty-secrets-seductive-cleopatra/
http://www.diybeautytutorials.com/2014/06/discover-9-ancient-greek-beauty-secrets_13.html
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/best-herbs-for-hair-growth/
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/olive-oil-hair-repair.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/coconut-oil-for-hair.html
http://www.womansday.com/style/beauty/advice/a1853/8-homemade-hair-treatments-110251

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is intended for educational and informational use. The author is not responsible for the results of using these herbs. If you wish to use herbal remedies  consult a dermatologist or hair care professional.

Be sure to check out my web site at www.valerielull.com and check out my new book Ten Spices for Health and Longevity.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
valerielull923@gmail.com

Chocolate and Your Heart

 Have you ever eaten a delicious piece of chocolate and then felt guilty? You don't need to. Chocolate is actually good for you. There are a couple of qualifiers; the chocolate must be dark chocolate, and it must be eaten in small to moderate quantities to avoid weight gain.

It seems that there are antioxidants in chocolate that can protect you from free radicals, that play a role in heart disease. There are also plant constituents called flavanols that are heart healthy. Flavonoids are known to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. These factors can lower the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Theobromine is a substance in chocolate that some scientists think may also contribute to its heart friendly properties. It is thought to relax the blood vessels and preventing high blood pressure. Antioxidants, on the other hand, help to reduce cellular damage that is caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause oxidation of the cells, Free radicals can cause bad cholesterol to form plaque on the walls of your blood vessels.

To get these health benefits you  have to be sure to get the right kind of chocolate. The milk in milk chocolate negates the benefits of the flavonols. Heavy processing, by alkalizing, fermentation or roasting tends to destroy the health promoting flavonoids.  Most candy bars in the supermarket are loaded with sugar and many of them have milk. Be sure to look for chocolate that has at least 70% cacao. Raw organic chocolate is the best.

Research is in the works to produce a supplement that you can take that will give you the benefits of raw cacao without the added sugar or milk. It will be interesting to see the research on these supplements.

Sources:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/prevention/nutrition/food-choices/benefits-of-chocolate
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/119/10/1433.full
http://thealternativedaily/research-gives-us-more-reasons-to-enjoy-dark-chocolate/

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com I have a new book out called Ten Spices for Health and Longevity. 

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
www.valerielull923@gmail.com

Coconut Flour

There are lots of folks who have decided for one reason or another to go gluten and/or wheat free. This often means that they cannot digest the wheat properly because of its gluten content. With such a large number of foods that contain wheat or wheat products, it can be a daunting process trying to eliminate everything that has wheat and gluten in it. Coconut flour is one alternative that people can use.Coconut flour has a number of things going for it.

High Fiber - Fiber is very important in digestion and elimination. Coconut flour is 75% fiber. Fiber is important for cleansing and detoxifying the body.

Gluten Free - It is a good substitute for folks who want to go gluten free. It has a sweet and delicious taste.

Digestion - Coconut flour has lots of nutrients that can benefit your heart. It is low in digestible carbs so people do not have the insulin spikes that come with high carbs. It appears to have regulating properties for blood sugar levels.

Protein and Healthy Fats - Coconut flour has 19 grams of protein in a 100 gram serving. Wheat flour has only ten. The healthy fats provide instant energy. Coconut flour is antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal.

There are some things to be aware of when baking with coconut flour. The flour is very dry and needs more moisture than grain flours. Use equal portions of liquid and coconut flour. If you do not use enough liquid your product will be dry and crumbly. Some cooks add several eggs to help things stick together. Often it works well to mix the flours. Use 1/4 the amount of flour in your recipe as coconut flour and use another non gluten flour like almond meal or sprouted spelt for the rest.

Sources:
http://blog.radiantlifecatalog.com/bid/59284/What-are-the-Health-Benefits-of-Coconut-Flour
http://www.livestrong.com/article/28183-health-benefits-coconut-flour/
http://draxe.com/coconut-flour-nutrition/

For more information check out my website at www.valerielull.com. I have recently published a new book in digital form called Ten Spices For Health and Longevity. You can go to my website or you can order it from Amazon.com

Valerie Lull

Author

Ten Spices for Health and Longevity

valerielull923@gmail.com

Lemons for personal use

Most people are knowledgeable about using lemons for cooking, and quite a few know about health remedies that include lemons. Another use for lemons is personal and cosmetic care. Below is a list of cosmetic things that lemons and lemon juice can be used for.

Clear skin - Lemon juice is loaded with Vitamin C which helps your skin stay clear and helps to decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Folks with acne can use lemon juice on their skin to help it stay clear.

Lighten Age Spots - Most people get brown spots, often called liver spots, on their skin when they get older. They come from sun exposure but are harmless. These spots can be lightened with lemon juice. Put some on the spot and let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off. Do this daily and the spots will lighten.

Highlight Hair - Using lemon juice is a way you can get highlights in your hair without the use of harsh chemicals. Mix 1/4 cup of lemon juice with 3/4 of a cup of water. Use this to rinse your hair. Sit in the sun till your hair dries. Do this for about a week. At the end of the week you should see results.

Breath Freshener - Rinse your mouth with lemon juice, then swallow it. It will kill the bacteria in your mouth that cause the odor. Then rinse your mouth and teeth well with water. If the lemon juice stays in your mouth it can damage the enamel on your teeth.

Dandruff - Using lemon juice is a very easy way to combat dandruff. Massage about two tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with a cup of water and rinse again with it. Keep doing this until you notice the dandruff getting better.

Lip Exfoliator - Put some lemon juice on your lips before you go to bed. Wash it off in the morning. This will help to remove dead skin cells and dried skin.

Strengthen Nails - Women like long nails but they can become weak and brittle. To combat this soak your nails in lemon juice for 10 minutes and then rinse well. Doing this once a week will help strengthen  your nails and remove any yellow tinge on your fingernails.

Sources:
http://www.thealternativedaily.com./21-extraordinary-uses-for-lemons/
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/uses-for-lemons
http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/style/makeup/face/10-ways-to-use-lemon-juice-in-beauty-regime.htm#page=3

Go check out my website at www.valerielull.com Check out my new book.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
www.valerielull923@gmail.com

5 Good Things About Chamomile Tea

Chamomile has been used for centuries for various ailments. It was used by the folks in ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. In the middle ages it was used for asthma, to bring down a fever, or for colds. There are many kinds of chamomile but there are two kinds that are mostly used for medicinal
benefits. There is German chamomile, Matricaria recutita, and Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum Nobile. Both kinds of chamomile have health properties. I prefer the German variety. Here are 9 great reasons for drinking a cup of chamomile tea.

1. It soothes indigestion. Chamomile can help mild stomach upsets. A cup of chamomile tea after a meal can aid digestion.
2. Cuts and wounds. Chamomile was used by the ancients as a salve for wounds to speed up healing. 
3. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, anti microbial and is an antioxidant.
4. Some recent research has linked chamomile with prevention of thyroid cancer.
5. Chamomile has been used for centuries as a mild sleep aid.
6. Chamomile is good for stress and anxiety.
7. Chamomile can be used for children and infants that have colic and nausea. Be sure to consult your pediatrician before using it.
8. A lotion or oil containing chamomile can be used for minor burns and sunburn. It can also be added to a bath to ease the itching of eczema.
9. Another popular folk use for chamomile is to relieve menstrual cramps. It helps to relax the muscles of the uterus and ease discomfort. 

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/chamomile-topic-overview

http://naturalsociety.com/9-amazing-health-benefits-of-chamomile-tea/
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html

I have published a new book called "Ten Spices for Health and Longevity" Go to my website and learn more at www.valerielull.com

Valerie Lull
Author & Wellness Coach
Ten Healthy Teas
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
Valerielull923@gmail.com