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

Herbal Coffee Substitutes

Many scientific studies have been done on coffee and when taken in moderation coffee is good for most people. The problem is that some people are allergic to the caffeine in the coffee, or perhaps they just don't like coffee. There are a number of commercial coffee substitutes on the market that are available in health food stores and online. If you prefer, you can make your own herbal coffee substitutes that are caffeine free and you know exactly what's in them. Below are some herbal preparations.

Chicory

Chicory is an herb that has a beautiful little blue flower. It is often mixed with real coffee or it can be used alone. Chicory has a long tap root that can be cut up and roasted. It is then ground and made into a caffeine free beverage that is a coffee substitute. It's a favorite in New Orleans.


Dandelion

Another common herb used for coffee is dandelion root. Like chicory, dandelion also has a long tap root. These roots can be harvested, dried, cut up and roasted. It can be ground in a coffee grinder and then used to brew caffeine free herbal coffee substitute. There are commercial dandelion coffees available in nutrition centers and specialty food stores.


Chickpea

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzos are a legume. The chickpeas can be spread out on a cookie sheet and baked at 300 degrees until they are brown like coffee beans. After they have cooled down you can grind them in a coffee grinder and then use the grind like you would when making coffee. Chickpea coffee can be percolated, or boiled in water. You may want to use a tea strainer when pouring the brew to avoid sediment in your cup.

Barley

Barley alone or mixed with other grains is used to make coffee substitute drinks. Spread the barley thinly on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven at 425 degrees until it is dark in color. Cool, then grind in a coffee grinder. Measure out a heaping teaspoon in a cup and add boiling water.

Does anyone remember Postum? It was a commercial product made by the C.W. Post company and sold in supermarkets for years. My parents did not drink coffee and Postum was a staple at our house. It was made from roasted wheat and molasses. Postum is making a comeback of sorts. It is available from two sources in the United States. Amazon.com and The Vermont Country Store. Be prepared for sticker shock, it is quite expensive. I have no connection with the Postum company, I just have nostalgic memories from days past.


http://coffeetea.about.com/od/typesoftea/a/Chicory.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/chickpea-coffee-substitute-recipe-zmaz77sozgoe.aspx
http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/barley-coffee-substitute-recipe-zmaz77sozgoe.aspx
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Catalog/Food_&_Candy/Breakfast/Postum/64003

Your comments are welcome. To leave a comment click on the words "1 comment" below. Be sure to check out my web site at www.valerielull.com

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

Turmeric and Memory

Turmeric is the golden yellow spice that is used extensively in Indian cooking. Traditionally it was called "Indian saffron". It is used as a dye for fabric and has been used in both Chinese and Indian medicine since ancient times. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and is used for flatulence, toothache, jaundice, arthritis, diabetes, anti-ageing and more.

Turmeric is a spice that many folks turn to for memory problems. India has the lowest rate of Alzheimer's disease in the world. Many scientists think that it is the turmeric in the Indian diet that is responsible for this. Turmeric has a constituent called curcumin. Curcumin is the major yellow pigment in turmeric.

There was a study done in 2008 that tested the effects of curcumin on Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that curcumin has a potential role in the treatment of Alzheimer's and that the overall memory of Alzheimer's patients improved.

Professor Mark Wahlqvist of Monash University tested memory in people 60 years of age and older. The subjects were given one gram of turmeric with breakfast. Memory was tested before and after a meal. The results showed that working memory improved for over six hours in older people with prediabetes.

Curcumin is available in capsule form but there seems to be some a problem with the body absorbing it. This can be remedied by taking it with black pepper. The black pepper increases the bioavailability of the turmeric, allowing it to be absorbed more easily. There are supplements on the market that have both the turmeric and black pepper mixed together. They are inexpensive and can be ordered online or from supplement catalogs.

Turmeric milk is a tasty way to take turmeric. Here is the recipe:

1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon turmeric paste
1 cup almond milk, or milk of choice (rice, soy, dairy, etc.)
Sweetener of choice

Mix ingredients together over medium heat. Do not boil. Drink when it cools down.
How to make turmeric paste.

1/2 cup turmeric powder
1 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
5 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil

Mix together to form a paste.

The information in this blog is for educational purposes only. Be sure to check with your health care practitioner before trying any new substance like herbs or supplements.

http://draxe.com/turmeric-health-benefits/
http://alzheimer.neurology.ucla.edu/Curcumin.html
http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2008;volume=11;issue=1;spage=13;epage=19;aulast=Mishra
http://nutritionfacts.org/2015/02/05/why-pepper-boosts-turmeric-blood-levels/
http://monash.edu/news/show/spice-up-your-memory

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

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

White Tea Has Antioxidants

There are four teas that come from the Camellia sinensis plant. They are black tea, green tea, oolong, and white tea. White tea has an exotic past. It comes from China and historically was only available to the royal court of the emperor, not the masses. There was one emperor who nearly lost his empire over white tea.

 The difference between the four teas mentioned above is that black tea is oxidized, oolong tea is less oxidized, green tea leaves are withered, and white tea leaves uncured and unfermented. The tea leaves for white tea are the very young leaves and buds. They are harvested at a much earlier stage in growth than the leaves for the other teas. The leaves have very fine silver hairs on them giving rise to the the variety of white tea variety called Silver Needle.

Because white tea is the least processed, it has the highest levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals that are generated as a result of cell metabolism. Free radicals can damage DNA and speed up the ageing process. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals.

White tea ranges from pale yellow to almost clear in the cup. The tea has a very delicate taste. People who have compromised taste buds will probably think it is water. Adding lemon to white tea causes more antioxidants to be released. The action of the antioxidants help to slow down ageing and help to prevent diseases like cancer, and heart disease. White tea appears to be good for one's skin and for oral health. People use it for weight loss.

White tea can be found blended with other things like green tea, rooibos tea, and fruits like raspberry, pomegranate, mango and pear. White tea is becoming more and more popular and so is more and more available. For people who are watching their caffeine intake white tea has less caffeine than black or green tea and a lot less than coffee. The caffeine content can also vary depending on how long it steeps and how hot the water is.


http://www.whiteteaguide.com/whiteteahistory.htm
http://www.whiteteaguide.com/whiteteahealthbenefits.htm
http://www.webmd.com/diet/tea-types-and-their-health-benefits
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/green-tea-vs-white/
http://www.caffeine-content.com/caffeine-in-tea/caffeine-in-white-tea/

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com To leave comments click on the words "1 comment"  below. Your comments are welcome. Any requests for future blogs?


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

Lemons Can Boost Your mood

The benefits of lemons are numerous. They are so  numerous that I have written several blogs about lemons and their benefits. One of the benefits of lemons that I really like are that they can boost your mood. There is a clean fragrance and a freshness about lemons that creates energy and enhances your feelings of well-being.

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The scent alone can give your mind a boost.  The scent of citrus can reduce stress. Aromatherapists use lemon essential oil for stress disorders. It can give you a positive mindset and relieve nervous tension. Lemon oil increases concentration and alertness. Lemon oil is sometimes used as a room freshener to increase the efficiency of employees in an office.

Lemons contain more negative ions than any other fruit. Negative ions are what make you feel good when you get out in the fresh air, especially around waterfalls and in the mountains. The negative ions make you feel more alert because they bring more oxygen to your brain. They also give you mental energy.
A study was done where the subjects were blindfolded and then asked to smell lavender, lemon and water. The results showed that lemon oil "reliably enhances positive mood" in comparison to lavender and water.

One of the best ways to obtain these benefits is to drink lemon water every day. You can drink lemon juice in warm water in the morning or  you can make lemon water and drink it throughout the day. You can also make lemonade with a sugar substitute like stevia, or lo han. The beauty of this remedy is that it is inexpensive and lemons are available in any supermarket.


http://www.naturalhealth365.com/lemons.html/
http://www.examiner.com/article/lemons-nature-s-fountain-of-youth
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/benefits-of-lemon-water.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-lemon-oil.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278291/

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com

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

Licorice Tea and Heartburn

Licorice is a favorite for both children and adults. Who doesn't like to chew on a nice stick of licorice candy; but don't get the candy mixed up with the real thing. Most licorice candy is artificially flavored. Licorice is a fragrant herb that is readily available and easy to use.

Historically licorice has been used in Europe and Asia for thousands of years. Some of the conditions it was used for included digestive complaints, bronchitis, osteoarthritis, inflammation, sore throat, cough and skin conditions. It has been used  to get  rid of excess phlegm and has been used for peptic ulcers and canker sores. .

Licorice can be used in herbal form, as a supplement, a syrup, and as a tea. Usually the root is the part of the plant that is used. One very popular use for licorice is relieving heartburn. Heartburn happens when acid from the stomach comes back up in the esophagus causing a burning sensation. A nice cup of licorice tea after dinner can possibly help this condition.

Using licorice comes with some cautions. Be sure to use deglycyrrhizinated licorice. The glycyrrhizic acid may cause sodium retention, high blood pressure and potassium loss. Do not use  licorice for more than 4 weeks without taking a break. Using it longer can cause weakness, and decreased sexuality in men. It is considered unsafe for pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage. Do not take licorice if you are taking Coumadin.

Licorice tea is easy to make and can be combined with ginger, mint, vanilla, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and many other things. Get creative and try your own combinations. Licorice tea is available online in  tea bags  if you want convenience. Here is a recipe for ginger  licorice tea.tea

Ginger Licorice Tea

1 Cup of slivered licorice root
1 Finger length of Ginger
 3 Cups of water

Crush the ginger. You can use a cleaver for this.
Place everything in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Drain and serve warm.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-881-licorice.aspx?activeingredientid=881
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/licorice
http://www.refluxmd.com/home-remedy-for-heartburn/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110565-dgl-licorice-acid-reflux/

Check out my website at www.valerielull.com  I am working on a new book about Garlic. Stay tuned.

Valerie Lull
Author
www.valerielull.com
valerielull923@gmail.com

Spearmint Tea and Digestion

Spearmint, Mentha Spicata, is a member of the mint family. It is a separate plant from peppermint, but for most of history these two mints are often lumped together. Spearmint was the original medicinal mint and Peppermint was a hybrid that developed later.(1) Both help digestive problems. Today, I will be discussing Spearmint.

Spearmint is well known in folklore as a remedy for colds and sore throats, inflammation, hormonal, circulation problems, nausea, headaches, acne, and perhaps most popularly for digestive problems. It is also the flavor of a popular chewing gum.  Digestion problems include flatulence, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, increased bile production, and cramping .(2)

There doesn't seem to be a lot of research on Spearmint. Most web sites about spearmint cite peppermint studies. I did find a few studies on spearmint, but not about digestion. According to one study Spearmint essential oil is anti fungal.(3)  Another study investigated hirsutism  (excess hair growth) in women and found it helpful for the mild form of the disease.(4)

Peppermint tea is a delicious way to use this remedy. Some folks just chew the leaves. It is easy to grow and you can grow it indoors. You can buy spearmint tea online or at a tea specialty shop. You can grow your own if you want it fresh. Leaves fresh from the garden  have more flavor than the dried leaves. Below is a recipe.

Spearmint Tea

1 oz. dried herbs or 2oz. fresh
1 pint of boiling water

Pour the water into a saucepan. Do not use an aluminum pan. If you are using fresh leaves be sure to rinse them off well. Add the leaves to the sauce pan and simmer about 10 minutes. Strain out the leaves. Let it cool a few minutes then serve.

Spearmint tea can be bought in bags if you prefer them for convenience.

Sources:
(1) Castleman, Michael, The New Healing Herbs, 2009, Rodale, p. 368-371
(2) https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/spearmint.html
(3) http://www.ipcbee.com/vol15/10-U00041.pdf
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm..nih.gov/pubmed/1731049

Be sure to check out my web site at www.valerielull.com
Your comments are welcome. To leave a comment click on the words "no comment" below and the comment box will come up.

Valerie Lull
Author, Master  Herbalist
www.valerielull.com
valerielull923@gmail.com