Cumin for Inflammation

Cumin is a spice that is well known for its use in Mexican, Spanish, Middle Eastern and Indian foods. It is technically classified as an herb and it has many medicinal uses. Some of the uses for cumin include reduced inflammation, increased urination, reduce gas, suppress muscle spasms, indigestion, jaundice, and diarrhea. It can be used in a poultice, a suppository and smoked in a pipe.

Cumin is native to hot countries like South Africa, Egypt, China and Morocco. It was used by the Romans and the Greeks for its health benefits. Cumin is mentioned in the Bible. Cumin is a seed and it is the seeds that are used for medicine.They can be obtained dried, or ground. Ground cumin is a brownish-green color.

Cumin has been used as a culinary spice for centuries. Besides being used as a seasoning for food, the oil is used for alcoholic beverages. Cumin is an antioxidant and is antibacterial. It can lower blood sugar and strengthen bones. Cumin has been used for boils and makes a great tonic. Cumin is good for hair and skin.

Some of the side effects of cumin include heartburn, belching, a heavy menstrual cycle, and low blood sugar. Because of the blood sugar lowering action cumin is not good for diabetics in quantities more then what is used in cooking. Some people are allergic to cumin and it can cause skin rashes.

Cumin seeds are often mistaken for caraway seeds because the seeds look similar. Cumin is also used for non food and medicine items like lotions and perfumes. Cumin seeds can be boiled and steeped for eight or nine minutes to make a tea. It is also available in capsule form from online retailers.


www.drugs.com/npc/cumin.html
http://www.seedguides.info/cumin/
www.webmd.com/.../ingredientmono-635-cumin.aspx:...cumin
http://www.stylecraze.co/articles/side-effects-of-cumin-seeds/
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-cumin.html

Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com

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

Seven Health Benefits of Lemons

Just about everyone knows that lemons are a healthful fruit. They are used a lot in the culinary world for everything from flavoring for chicken to lemon meringue pie. They are full of vitamin C, minerals, flavonoids and many other good nutrients. They are also low in calories and useful for weight loss.

Here are some little known facts about the health benefits of lemons that I would like to share with you.

1. Lemons help balance the pH level in your body. Lemons can be quite acidic but once your body processes them they are alkaline.
2. Lemons are high in potassium. Lemons have 80 milligrams of this mineral. Potassium is important to help regulate blood pressure.
3. Lemons contain antioxidants. The vitamin C in lemons is an antioxidant. Antioxidants fight free radicals which promote inflammation and chronic disease.
4. Lemons are a mood booster. Lemons contain a high amount of negatively charged ions which help to improve mood and energy.
5. Lemons are an insect repellent. This is good if you have children or pets because it won't harm them and it will make the bugs go away.
6. Lemons have a high fiber content. Lemons have pectin which helps to keep you from getting hungry or overeating. 
7. Lemon juice helps your liver. The juice helps flush out toxins and causes the liver to produce bile.

All these things are great for maintaining good health and preventing disease. Years ago when I lived in California we had a lemon tree in our back yard. It was great to pick lemons off our own tree to make fresh lemonade. Lemons are readily available in any supermarket and not  too expensive. Many people drink warm lemon water in the morning to get their digestion going. Some folks drink lemon water throughout the day. However you like your lemons, they are a great super food.

Sources:

http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/10-Reasons-Lemon-Juice-Good-You-14860617

http://www.thealternativedaily.com/21-extraordinary-uses-lemons/

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/lemon.html

I am working on building a new web site. It will be up and running shortly. Stay tuned. Your comments are always welcome.

Valerie Lull

Author

Ten Healthy Teas

valerielull923@gmail.com

Five Herbs for Inflammation

Inflammation is a necessary response when the body is injured or infected and it helps in the healing process. It is when there is a low level of inflammation that goes on all the time that there are problems.. It can also be caused by chemical reactions in fat cells in overweight people.In the last 20 years or so many researchers have concluded that inflammation is the root cause of most of our common chronic illnesses. The solution is to do things that will cool the fires of chronic inflammation and thereby prevent these diseases. Most doctors will prescribe NSAIDS or other drugs. However, there are many simple remedies that will do the same thing without the negative side effects. There are a number of herbs that are very good for fighting inflammation. I have chosen 5 that I will write about today.

Burdock -  Burdock is known as a blood purifier and is used for detoxification. This process helps relieve chronic inflammation. It is often paired with dandelion root. Burdock root has been documented to relieve diseases like boils, sores, psoriasis, acne and leprosy.  It is thought to be helpful in diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea.

Ginger -. Ginger is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries for inflammation. In recent times many researchers have found scientific support for these beliefs. Ginger works by inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis thereby curbing inflammation. In a study done at the University of Miami, it was concluded that ginger extract could someday be a substitute for NSAIDS. The study showed that ginger works at the cellular level. Personally I like a cup of ginger tea on cold fall and winter mornings. It warms me up and takes the edge off my arthritis.

Green Tea - Green tea contains flavonoids and polyphenols as well as antioxidants. All of these things help to fight inflammation. Green tea is thought to play a role in treating chronic diseases that are caused by inflammation. In a study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center it was concluded that green tea may help reduce inflammation connected with Crohn's disease. Green tea is readily available and easy to prepare. In most studies people drink about 3 cups a day.

Turmeric -  Some scientists think that inflammation may be the root cause in Alzheimer's disease. In India the spice turmeric is widely used in cooking. Turmeric has a constituent called curcumin that is thought to be anti-inflammatory. Researchers think that this may be the reason that India has a very low rate of Alzheimer's disease. It is easy to incorporate turmeric in your cooking. You can also use curry powder which contains turmeric.

Garlic -  Garlic has compounds that are thought to inhibit key enzymes that cause inflammation. Garlic may help to prevent asthma attacks and reduce the pain of arthritis. Some researchers think garlic may reduce joint swelling and inflammation. Garlic is useful for colds and flu. It fights the infection and that reduces the inflammation.

There are many more herbs, spices and foods that can be useful for inflammatory conditions. You may find Dr. Weil's anti-inflammatory food pyramid useful. Here's the link: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html

Sources:
http://www.planetherbs.com/michaels-blog/dandelion-burdoc-and-cancer.html
https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/tincture-information/burdock-root.htm
http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-can-do/eating-well/arthritis-diet/ginger-benefits.php
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16117603
http://www.livestrong.com/article/372839-is-green-tea-an-anti-inflammatory/
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/green-tea
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blot/diethack/view/top-five-health-benefits-of-garlic-119
http://www.soul-guidance.com/health/garlic.htm

Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com 

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.valerielull923@gmail.com

Dark Chocolate Has Health Benefits

One of my favorite indulgences is chocolate. However, if you want to receive the health benefits you have to be careful what kind of chocolate you eat and how much. Emerging research seems to indicate that chocolate has a number of healing properties and may actually be good for you when taken in the right form and in moderation. Chocolate is chucked full of good things like flavonoids that reduce inflammation, phytosterols that help cholesterol levels, and antioxidants that reduce free radicals.  There are so many things that are good about chocolate I could write several blogs on the subject. Today I will hit the highlights.

Antioxidant - Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals. Free radicals are atoms that have an electron missing and can damage your cells DNA. The antioxidants provide the missing electron and stabilizes the molecule. The damage free radicals can do can be the start of processes that lead to cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Cardiovascular Problems - According to recent research chocolate can help coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, high cholesterol, plaque deposits on artery walls and obesity.

Natural Stimulant - Eating chocolate can produce a boost of energy both physically and mentally. This is partly due to the caffeine content and partly due to theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid in cacao that also can provide a boost of energy.

Cognitive Function - Cocoa is good for your mind. The flavonols in chocolate may help with cognitive decline.Flavonols can reverse age-related cognitive decline by increasing the strength of the connections of the neurons in your brain that aid in maintaining memory.

Mood Booster - There is a chemical reaction with chocolate called anandamide that blocks feelings of pain and depression temporarily. Some researchers call it bliss. Some evidence seems to show that it also sweetens up your love life.

Gut Bacteria - The good bacteria in your gut love to feast on chocolate. They turn it into anti-inflammatory compounds that fight inflammation, another underlying cause of chronic diseases like heart trouble, cancer and Alzheimer's.

Some guidelines - Don't use this information as a reason to run down to your market and chow down on candy bars. There's way too much sugar in them. If you want to eat good chocolate choose the dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao. It has less sugar and the higher the cacao content, the more health benefits you will reap. Eat only 1-2 squares a day. As the old saying goes, "all things in moderation". If you are still worried about sugar content you can get cacao in capsule form and take a few each day. Cacao in capsule form can be purchased on the internet, your local health food store, or by mail order.You can also get benefits from hot coco, or from cacao beans that have been dipped in chocolate

To learn another Way to stay healthy go now to my web site  www.valerielull.com  It is OK to have a chocolate treat if it is done with thought, care and moderation.

Valerie Lull,  MH,
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
www.Lullval@clearwire.net