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

Rose Tea

Roses are a universal symbol of love, especially red roses. They are beautiful to look at and the scent makes you feel good. Roses are often used in  cosmetics. They are also used in essential oils and aroma therapy. The rose hips are loaded with vitamin C. Today I am going to write about the health benefits of rose tea.

Rosebud tea has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. It is sometimes called "the lady's tea" because it has health benefits for women. Rose tea can help PMS and menstrual cramping. It also helps with emotional ups and downs.
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Rose tea can be made from rosebuds, rose petals or rose hips. It clears toxins from the body and can relieve a sore throat or runny nose. It relieves fluid retention and also works as a laxative. Rose tea can help stress and fatigue and cleanses the liver promoting bile production. I was surprised to learn that rose tea contains about 50 mg of caffeine. It is less than a cup of coffee. The caffeine can boost energy and metabolism.

 Rose tea is sometimes used with green tea. Both green tea and rose tea have been used for centuries for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Together this blend contains antioxidants, vitamins, bioflavonoids, and alkaloids. Together they can boost the immune system and fight infection.

Rose tea can be used hot or iced and used with other teas to make interesting tea blends and enhance health. You can grow roses in your own yard and have a source of fresh rose petals and rose hips for tea. Rose tea is a remarkable tea and useful tool to enhance health.

Sources:
www.livestrong.com/article 1165-rose-tea-health-benefits
www.vega-licious.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-roses-and-rose-teas
www.activehealth.ie/wp/index.php/the-benefits-of-rosebud-tea/
www.teamajesty.com/health-benefits-of-rose-tea/
www.livestrong.com/article 269095-what-are-the-benefits-of-green-tea-with-rose/

As always, your comments and experiences with rose tea are welcome. I am working on a new web site and hope to have it up and running soon. For information about my book Ten Healthy Teas go to Amazon. Here is the link http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Healthy-Teas-Valerie-Lull/dp/1432784935/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1431261798&sr=1-2&keywords=Ten+Healthy+Teas

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
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

Health Benefits of Black Pepper

Black pepper is one of the most popular of all spices. It has been used for centuries in India where it originated. Wars have been fought over pepper. Pepper grows on a vine that produces small white flowers which develop berries that are called peppercorns. These are ground up into the spice we call pepper. Peppercorns come in white, and black. They both come from the same plant; they are just harvested at different times and processed differently. Black pepper is hot and smells strong and white pepper is hot but has less smell. Pepper oil is distilled from pepper.

Most people think of pepper in terms of culinary uses, but black pepper has a number of health benefits as well. Black pepper stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which improves digestion. It also helps prevent the formation of gas in the intestines. It has diaphoretic properties that encourage sweating and diuretic properties that promote urination. Peppercorns stimulate the breakdown of fat cells. Some people even use black pepper to help them quit smoking.

Black peppercorns have potassium, calcium zinc, manganese, iron and magnesium. They also contain B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin A. They have antioxidants such as carotenes, zeaxanathin and lycopene. Anti-oxidants work against free radicals that can cause cancer and other diseases.

Black pepper has some unique household uses that I found interesting. It can be used as a laundry booster to keep the colors of your clothes bright. Sprinkle a half teaspoon of pepper into your laundry. It will wash away and your clothes will not fade.

Pepper can be used in your garden to keep pests and insects away as well as deer and rabbits. It makes an excellent scrub for your face. You can make a formula from sugar, massage oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper. Add a few drops of orange essential oil. Massage the mixture into your face, then rinse. Black pepper is readily available in any supermarket. Organic pepper is the best.


Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-800-black%20pepper%20and%20white%20pepper.aspx?activeingredientid=800&activeingredientname=black%20pepper%20and%20white%20pepper
www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname-foodspice&dbid=74
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/black_pepper.html
http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/black-pepper-essential-oil.html
http://www.thealternativedaily/spice-up-your-health-with-black-pepper/

Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com  Your comments are welcome as well as suggestions for topics for this blog. To leave a comment click on the words "no comment" below and the comment box will come up.

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