Bill's Herbal tips

Good Food Health Vitamin Intake

It is essential that a person is aware of what constitutes good food health vitamin intake. The federal drug administration produces a recommended daily allowance for the majority of vitamins which it regards as a good food health vitamin intake. These figures vary according to a person’s age, sex and some other factors so that the good food health vitamin intake for a young woman is going to be different to that of a man in his seventies.

The food health vitamin intake amounts of certain foods are included in the nutritional labelling. This labelling is important for a person to consider and helps ensure that they are receiving the correct food health vitamin intake from the foods that they eat. The nutritional information is often represented as a percentage of the recommended daily allowance of each vitamin and mineral and can help assess the value of the foods in the quest for good food health vitamin intake.

There are also a number of items that a person may want to restrict in their diet as part of their good food health vitamin intake. Again, the nutritional labelling of certain foods can help a person to see how high a product is in these undesirable contents. Salt and fat, for example, may be items that a person wants to consider limiting as part of their good food health vitamin intake even though they are not strictly vitamins. The majority of people actually refer to nutrients when they use the word vitamin and food manufacturers are aware that a person is looking at minerals and other items when they are considering their good food health vitamin intake. Fiber is another element that many people are more aware of as forming an essential part of a balanced diet and is necessary for good food health vitamin intake.

If a person is on a restricted diet for any reason then they need to pay even more attention to their good food health vitamin intake. Obviously, some foods contain different nutrients to others and this is applicable to vitamins as well and it may be more difficult for a person to achieve their good food health vitamin intake if they are unable to eat certain foods. Vitamin supplements can form an essential part of a good food health vitamin intake for people who are unable to obtain their vitamins from their normal diet. It is also worth remembering that the good food health vitamin intake for a person varies throughout their life depending on their general health.

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Losing Weight and Green Tea, The Relation

A lot of people are suffering from health problems these days. If you're one of them, perhaps you've already taken the necessary steps in order to shed some pounds off. Admit it, It's hard to follow diet plans especially with so many temptations around you.

Drinking plain water everyday may have tempted you to drink fizzy sodas instead without even thinking that these sodas contain a lot of sugar and of course, calories. Have you ever realized that you can also drink green tea and incorporate it in your diet plan? A lot of individuals with weight problems are already into the green tea hype; so, do you want to join them?

Well, if you still don't know, green tea has many benefits and it can help you in losing weight. As long as you can exercise regularly and you strictly monitor your diet, you can take green tea as many times as you like. The tea is capable of burning fat because of its certain properties and this is the reason why a lot of people who want to lose weight are now rushing to the groceries to buy green tea. You can check diet plans and see if they promote the intake of green tea. Since medical communites are now able to look into the tea's excellent health properties, perhaps it has already tapped the environment of dieters, including the experts.  

Dieters are usually discouraged to eat large amount of food and if ever you do eat a small portion, you will always crave for more because you're still hungry. Try to drink water if you do feel hungry especially before eating. If you don't like to drink water, you can drink green tea instead. You can have it cold or warm and if you're not that sensitive to taste, you can add a little honey or lemon juice.

There are also dieters who prefer to drink green tea during meals. This is also good because it helps in the digestion process and it will also keep you hydrated. The tea is also known to suppress appetite so you will surely lose some weight. If you no longer have the appetite to eat, then you will not be consuming a large amount of food. Just a small serving of food will do and you will already feel as if you've eaten a lot of food.

It's quite hard for dieters not to be tempted to eat between meals but by drinking a few cups of green tea you can fill your hunger somehow. A glass of tea can already replace your snacks. Learn to control yourself because that is the only way for you to shed those unwanted pounds. Without discipline, you will gain more weight. Aside from losing weight, drinking green tea has other benefits.

By incorporating it to your diet, you can boost the immune system, prevent cancer, and it can make you a healthier individual. Here's a little secret - in order to see the effects of green tea in your weight regimen, substitute a glass of tea for your snacks. Make it a habit to drink green tea everyday and you can also take the supplements if you want.

The supplements can act as your body's fat burners so that you can lose weight in no time. If you start drinking it now, you will be able to see the effects soon. Tell your fellow dieters about the amazing healing properties of green tea and how it can help in losing weight. You and your friends can all try if green tea is truly effective in losing weight.

Some stores sell the tea leaves and you can just prepare the beverage at home. Ask the seller how to prepare the tea leaves. If you're in a hurry, you can just buy the ready-to-drink green tea in plastic bottles. There are a lot of bottled green teas in the grocery stores and you just need to choose the one you like. Instead of drinking coffee and other drinks, shift to green tea.

It is not only a less costly beverage but it can help you lose weight and can make you a healthier individual.

It is a fact that some pesticides, chemicals, and certain fumes are present in the environment that is affecting your immune system and jeopardizing your health. Moreover, the foods that you eat can lead to a toxic atmosphere lowering your overall immunity. Toxic load is the condition of tissues and cells where internal terrain is developed after food consumption of highly processed foods.  Your body needs to be cleansed from these unwanted toxins. The process is called detoxification.

Although you have the kidney and liver which are organs considered as natural detoxifiers filtering out the impurities of the bodies, you need to consider other ways to detoxify your body from toxins. Some of the methods can be extreme like long fasting from juice drinks or dialysis.

Take note, your immune system is the defense mechanism of your body. So, disease and infections should be prevented before it affects your whole body through toxin’s removal. As you could observe, the illness’ frequency of a person is dependent on the immune’s system strength which is composed of complex networks of nodes and lymph channels.

There are detox herbs that are beneficial in making your immune system strong. These herbs are the perfect and natural way of removing toxins from your immune systems to minimize acquired illnesses and to develop your general well-being.

Several herbs for detoxifying are much better for improving your immune systems than others. However, there are specific considerations for the detoxification program that you choose. But the following detox herbs can be used according to your needs.

-    Psyllium seeds promote healthy bowel movement generally maintaining its good condition. It could be used in helping bowel related problems like diarrhea. This herb is good because it has an absorption property similar to a sponge where it helps in removing the toxins inside your body.

-    Cascara Sagrada is generally a good natural laxative flushing the toxins out of your system. It also helps in strengthening your colon and other related muscles. This herb is used together with psyllium seeds.

-    Milk thistle is also a very valuable substance used often to simulate the protein synthesis in the liver. It is used effectively in soaking different types of toxins found in drugs and alcohols that can damage your body.

-    Nettles are used as a portion of the detox herb mixture in cleansing the urinary systems as well as any part of the body.

-    Burdock roots are also perfect for stronger cleansing needs. It is helpful in reducing the heavy metals build-up within your body which causes immune system problems.        

-    Dandelion roots are detox herbs having strong cleansing properties appropriate for your liver. It is good for removing the gall bladder wastes and also works well for kidneys if used with other compatible detox herbs.  
 
People would really need to detoxify themselves due to the presence of toxins in processed foods and in polluted air. Using herbs is not new in detoxification programs because its cleansing and healing properties have been known for so many years. Thus, it is now being accepted in the detoxification concept treating patients worldwide.

These herbs can effectively flush out unwanted toxins from your immune system allowing you to look and feel great. It can save you from acquiring severe illnesses. Brilliant detox herbs can really do wonders in a person's life.  

Alterative herbs help cleanse metabolic waste products and toxins from our body, and are a staple of herbal medicine. Alteratives work by supporting the natural cleansing functions of the kidneys, large intestines, increase blood flow and aid lymph drainage. Allowing these wastes and toxins to circulate throughout the body is a cause of inflammation and, when the body is attempting to stem inflammation, it’s not able to do much else in order to support our health. Here are a few herbs to help stem inflammation and aid the body in its detoxing efforts. (Note: these herbs are helpful for anyone with illness—not just arthritis or other inflammatory conditions).

1. Burdock Root (Arctium lappa or Arcticum minus):

One of the greatest things you can do for pain, joint or otherwise, is increase your intake of essential fatty acids. Burdock contains fatty oils which (along with its sterols and tannins) contribute to burdock’s reputation as an anti-inflammatory. You can eat burdock root in stir-fries (very popular in Asian cuisine, by the way), make a decoction (To do so: chop 2 tablespoons of fresh burdock root—if you do not have the fresh root available you may use 2 teaspoons of dried root as an alternative. Add the root to the boiling water and allow to simmer for 10 minutes then turn off the heat. Strain and drink while still warm—3-4 cups a day is ideal), or take the herb in capsule form (follow dosage directions, but remember, these are for a 150lb adult—calculate the appropriate dose using your own weight).

2. Flax ( Linum usitatissimum):

Flaxseed is one of the best vegan sources of Omega-3 (ALA), which is so important to a strong immune system and for fighting inflammation (the vegan bit is important because animal fats often lead to inflammation in arthritis sufferers). Try to include two tablespoons of flaxseeds or flaxseed oil in your daily diet. Note: do not heat or cook seeds or oil. Also, if you suffer from a digestive condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), use the oil rather than the seeds—they could irritate your condition.

3. Turmeric (Curcuma longa):

Turmeric is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory herb, and thus an effective pain reliever. It contains at least two chemicals (curcumin and curcuminoids) which decrease inflammation (and are very much like the oft-prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs). Incidentally, this anti-inflammatory effect is also why turmeric is often recommended for treatment of cancer, cataracts and Alzheimer’s.

While you can totally add this spice to your daily diet, you will need to take turmeric in supplement form in order to experience the full medicinal benefits. When cooking, try adding black pepper or dried ginger to help activate turmeric. The herb can also be applied topically to relieve pain.

4. Nettles (Urtica dioica):

Yup. If you’ve read my other articles, then you know that nettles is an herb with mad-skills incredible for pretty much anything. Nettles are insanely good for you, containing protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, beta-carotene, along with vitamins A,C, D, and B complex, all in a form that is easy for the body to use.

Stinging nettle is a wicked herb for those with all types of arthritis and gout. Its anti-inflammatory amazing-ness combined with its minerals (boron, calcium, magnesium and silicon) ease pain while helping to build strong bones. While NSAIDs are often a necessary evil for most with arthritis, using nettle may help you to decrease the amount you need to take. (Herbalists’ disclaimer: ALWAYS discuss herbal supplementation and prescription decreases with your physician). Nettle leaf tea (a cup or more daily) relieves and prevents water retention and inflammation and nourishes the kidneys and adrenals.

A side note: many arthritis sufferers have found that striking the inflamed joint with a fresh cutting from a nettle plant helps relieve joint pain (the stinging part of the nettles draws blood to the joint, relieving pain and inflammation). I know this sounds like a nutty treatment, but the brave amongst you can give it a try.

5. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra):

Licorice acts much like your body's own natural corticosteroids (which reduce inflammation). Licorice decreases free radicals at the site of inflammation and inhibits the enzyme production that's involved in the inflammatory process. Glycyrrhizin is the component in licorice which blocks and relieves inflammation. It also supports the body's release of cortisol (which suppresses the immune system, easing the pain and occurrence of arthritis), but it also inhibits some of the side effects of cortisol (such as adrenal fatigue and anxiety). Use in supplement form or as a tea.

Please note: Licorice is not a good remedy for those with blood pressure issues. People who regularly take large amounts of licorice (20 grams/day or more) may experience serious side effects such as headache, high blood pressure, and heart problems. If you already have high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or low potassium (hypokalemia), please avoid the herb altogether.

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All in all, aside from herbal protocols, the best treatment for arthritis is a diet filled with fresh produce, essential fatty acids, and fiber (and reducing or eliminating foods that cause an inflammatory response such as fried foods, animal fats, dairy, and anything else which might cause an allergy sensitivity).

Herbs for Digestion

When our digestive health is in peak condition,we can enjoy more energy, boosted immunity, the appearance of being younger than we truly are, and of course, the absence of disease. Here are 15 herbs that help with the process of digestion: 

• 1. Senna Leaf (Senna Alexandrina) – A short-term curative for constipation.

• 2. Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus Purshiana) – Short term curative for constipation.

• 3. Aloe Leaf (Aloe vera) – A super-healing plant to help ease digestion in general, and a good treatment for constipation.

• 4. Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are anti-inflammatory and rich in both Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber (important for proper bowel movements).

• 5. Psyllium seed – This seeds adds fiber to the diet and aids in intestinal peristalsis. The mucilage in Psyllium creates a soothing effect, which may help relieve cramping too.

• 6. Fruit – Consuming fruit is important for overall health, though the fiber in fruit will help greatly with digestion specifically. Plus, they are loaded with phytonutrients and antioxidants.

• 7. Oat Bran – Oat bran enters the digestive tract as an in-tact fiber, so it helps to sweep unwanted matter from the nooks and crannies of your intestines. It can aid in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease as well.

• 8. Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) – This herb helps to keep the intestinal contents moist so that they can easily be expelled.

• 9. Slippery Elm Bark – Used in North America as a digestive curative for centuries, Ulmus fulva, or slippery elm, contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. In addition to containing antioxidants that help relieve inflammatory bowel conditions, slippery elm coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines.

• 10. Mullein Leaf (Verbascum sp.) – Also known as 'cowboy toilet paper,' this anti-bacterial leaf has been used for many ailments, including diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, and bladder infections. It is also sometimes used to get rid of intestinal worms.

• 11. Barberry Root (Berberis vulgaris) – Varieties include Nepalese Barberry (Berberis aristata), Indian Barberry (Berberis asiatica), and Mountain Grape Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium). This herb is full of isoquinoline alkaloids.  A bitter herb stomach tonic, it also promotes evacuation of the bowels as it is a mild laxative.

• 12. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – Dandelion stimulates appetite and aids in digestion. While many people see dandelions as weeds, they are actually full of vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. In Chinese medicine, dandelion is used to treat all sorts of digestive ailments.
  

• 13. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) – Artichokes are “useful in treating specific liver/gallbladder conditions with elevated blood fat values by promoting bile flow in the body, increasing fat digestion and protecting the intestinal mucosa. Bile acids stimulate intestinal peristalsis resulting in better digestion. Bile moves toxins that are ingested through food, water and the air from the liver on to the intestine for further elimination, making it a powerful detoxer.” You can also consume artichoke leaf extract to aid with digestion.

• 14. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – Fennel is a carminative herb that helps to reduce gas, warm up the digestive tract, and speed up the digestive process.

• 15. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) – If you’ve ever dined on a good Indian Garam Masala, you’ve eaten cardamom. This is a stomach and intestinal healing herb like few others. Part of the ginger family, it is also anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and is great for soothing gas and heartburn.