Medicinal Plants and Herbs can restore your health  Medicinal Plants can restore your health Everyone knows how beneficial fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts are as they contain a lot of vitamins and minerals. However, few people know about the medicinal properties of herbs and plants. They can restore and support your health! IMPROVED DIGESTION A enticing aroma often appears in the kitchen when a handful of herbs is added to food. This fragrance promotes the secretion of saliva, which, prepares the stomach to receive the food. Enzymes contained in saliva, begin the digestive process by helping the body break down fats and starches. If this does not happen to the food by the time it reaches the stomach, it will not be properly digested resulting in digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence. Herbs to use: thyme, rosemary, oregano, mint
 Shiitake mushrooms - a remedy for many diseases The Japanese and Chinese both consider a shiitake mushroom the king of all mushrooms. They call it a "mushroom of the emperor". This is no accident. Shiitake mushrooms have long been regarded as the best means for activating the inner life force, circulating in the human body. Shiitake mushroom provides many health benefits and is a remedy for many diseases.
In Europe and the United States shiitake mushrooms appeared rather late. In the middle of the XIX century the English botanist Joseph Berkeley visited Japan. There, he saw shiitake mushrooms in the forest and at the numerous small-scale plantations of Japanese farmers. Berkeley tried the mushrooms and experienced the brunt of its healing properties. Due to this, he devoted his whole life to the study of shiitake mushrooms. It is Berkeley who introduced to the western world the taste of shiitake and he greatly contributed to the dissemination of knowledge of these mushrooms. He was convinced that people in the end will appreciate the excellent quality of shiitake.
 Olives make a healthy snack Have you ever thought about adding olives to your diet? The truth is olives make a great healthy snack. Olives contain a lot of vitamins and macro/micro elements which do wonders to our body. Additionally, olives contain a large amount of fatty acids and antioxidants, including lutein, a potent antioxidant that neutralizes the action of free radicals and protects our body from aging.
 Drinking tea is an art in many countries. It is an inseparable part of many cultures especially those with long cold winters. If you live in America, and your preference is coffee, you might want to start adding green tea to your daily life. There are many reasons to add green tea to your daily life. Green tea, with its wonderful aroma and taste, contains a lot of beneficial substances: vitamins, essential oils, antioxidants and other bio active elements. First of all, green tea effectively stimulates your brain, improving efficiency, especially during mental stress. This might be helpful during long days at work.
 Did you know that Queen Elizabeth drinks raw milk? According to some reports, she loves raw milk so much that when her grandchildren, Princes William and Harry studied at Eton, she asked one of the herdsmen to deliver raw milk from her Windsor herd to her grandchildren.
Pasteurization is a process in which the temperature of the milk kills useful bacteria, valuable enzymes and proteins. After pasteurization, you drink a dead liquid, which brings no benefit and may actually do more harm than good.
Is raw milk healthier than pasteurized?
Yes, If you drink fresh raw milk from healthy cows which are fed grass, it is quite beneficial for health. The health benefits of raw milk are abundant. It is rich in enzymes and actually contains all 22 essential amino acids. Raw milk is a good source of calcium, also contains phosphorus (which is important for digestion). It is an excellent source of vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, which is hard to find in the non meat products. It contains 60 functional enzymes (some come from beneficial bacteria growing in raw milk). Raw Milk also contains vitamins A, B and C. Studies show that raw cow's milk contains special enzymes and antibodies, which in fact make it less susceptible to bacteria. Conjugated linoleic acid helps prevent lipase from storing new fat cells in the body and thus prevents weight gain. CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid, is also supposed to have many beneficial cancer fighting properties.
The underground culture of raw milk is becoming more and more popular but you have to decide for yourself whether raw milk is the right choice for you and your family.
 Spinach and other green leafy vegetables provide more nutrients than any other vegetables in the world. Spinach is packed with vitamins; it stores high levels of vitamin K and vitamin A. Vitamin K is crucially important for bone building. Vitamin K triggers a compound called osteocalcin which produces calcium molecules inside the bone. One cup of fresh spinach gives you 200 percent of the daily value of vitamin K which makes spinach a great alternative to dairy for people.
Vitamin A is important for reducing the amount of free-radicals in the body as well as preventing cholesterol from oxidation.
Spinach contains several important phytochemicals, including lutein, which helps prevent age-related macular degeneration. It also has lipoic acid, which helps antioxidant vitamins C and E regenerate. The minerals in spinach are highly alkaline, making it helpful in regulating the body pH. Also the high alkalinity properties in spinach help people who suffer from inflammatory ailments, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Spinach is an excellent source of folate. Folate contributes to the growth and health of your cells. Spinach also contains magnesium which helps regulate blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
Cooked spinach is also an excellent source of iron, which is one of the primary components in hemoglobin which makes spinach a great blood builder. It reactivates the red blood cells and supplies fresh oxygen to the body. High levels of iron in spinach play an important role in energy production and metabolism. Raw spinach is a good source of vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. However, if you overcook spinach, you will lose most of vitamin C.
Spinach is packed with flavonoids which act as antioxidants, protecting the body from free radicals. Researchers have found at least 13 different flavonoid compounds that act as anti-cancer substances. The various nutrients offer much in the way of disease protection. Current research suggests that are 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that not only serve as antioxidants but may also reduce the risk of cancer.
How to select
Look for crisp, fresh and green spinach leaves and avoid dry, yellow leaves. Discard any spinach with blemishes. Choose spinach with thin stems since thick stems indicate the spinach has been overgrown.
How to store
Place spinach in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. Since spinach is best eaten fresh, consume within 2 to 3 days of purchase.
How to prepare
Rinse spinach under cold water in a colander and remove excess moisture before serving or cooking.
 By now we have all heard about the enormous health benefits of Coconut Oil, and many of us have began preparing our food with it. It has become an important part of our quest to a healthy lifestyle. Now the question is which coconut oil should we buy and does it really matter? There are four things you should look for in a coconut oil in order to get the best health benefits it offers.
 What is Kefir? Kefir is a refreshing and extremely healthy beverage which is known for its easy digestibility. Kefir means "feel good" in Turkish. It is a unique fermented milk product made by fermenting milk with kefir grains which quenches both thirst and hunger, helps to reduce weight and is equally beneficial for adults and children. It has been proven theoretically and practically that Kefir is not only able to normalize the microflora of the stomach and intestines, but also has an effect on our nervous system and metabolism (which helps significantly reduce the risk of developing a oncological disease). The Origins of Kefir The homeland of kefir is considered the Northern Caucasus Mountains. In the Caucasus there are a lot of legends about the origin of kefir, more precisely, kefir leaven. One of the local names of kefir grains is "millet of the prophet." However, in the Caucasus the making kefir for centuries was kept a secret. How it's Made The kefir grains ferment the milk by incorporating their beneficial organisms to create the cultured product. The bacteria (Lactobacilus caucasius ) ferments lactose in the milk into lactic acid which contributes to its taste. Two yeasts used to make kefir, Saccharomyces kefir and Torula kefir, ferment lactose into a trace of alcohol and carbon dioxide, which is responsible for the carbonation. According to some researchers, kefir grains consist of up to 22 species of microorganisms, the main of which is recognized as lactic Streptococcus. The complexity of the kefir grain is a mixture of protein, amino acids, lipids [fats] and soluble-polysaccharides. These useful microelements and organic acids are in complete harmony. Due to this complex symbiotic relationship, Kefir fights against bad bacteria by helping balance the micro flora of the body. Health Benefits One of the health benefits of kefir is the probiotic effect. This has a beneficial impact on the composition of intestinal microbes. Kefir inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, thus, it contributes to the prevention of intestinal infections and helps with dysbacteriosis. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the protective forces of the body: it improves the immune system. Kefir is recommended for people suffering from diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract. Kefir has the following beneficial properties: - helps improve the immune system - helps overcome chronic fatigue - useful for sleep and nervous system disorders - has some diuretic properties - stimulates the production of digestive juices in the stomach and intestines - Induces the purification of the body, cleansing of the stomach and intestines; - perfectly quenches thirst. Kefir is very good for the bones, teeth and nails because it is rich in calcium and phosphorus. It provides us with beneficial yeast, bacteria, vitamins, minerals, and complete proteins. Thus, the regular consumption of kefir will help you cleanse your body and provide you with maximum health.
 Pineapple doesn't only taste good, it contains healing properties that fight against many diseases. Healing Properties of Pineapple- Healthy bones and cartilage. One portion of fresh pineapple contains 76% of the recommended daily dose of manganese. Manganese is an essential element for the growth of healthy bones and cartilage. Manganese is also important for the formation of collagen and the healing of wounds.
- Treatment of gout. Gout is caused by accumulation of abnormal levels of uric acid in the blood causing joint inflammation. Consumption of pineapple helps reduce the level of uric acid in the blood, thus effectively preventing painful aggravations associated with gout.
- Anti-inflammatory. Bromelain is an enzyme that has anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, regular consumption of pineapple can help to treat mild forms of arthritis and sports injuries by reducing inflammation and pain.
- Aesthetic treatment. Pineapple has vitamin C, Bromelain and Alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) which are used as ingredients in many beauty products. The pulp of fresh pineapple can be used as a facial mask to soothe the skin. Vitamin C will help slow down the aging process and reduce wrinkles. Pineapple can also be used as an exfoliator to remove calluses and dry skin. Additionally, foods rich in manganese, as pineapple, will help you maintain healthy, glowing skin.
- Weight loss and maintenance of weight. Due to the fiber contained in pineapple, it takes more time to digest, thus causing a prolonged feeling of satiety. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by stimulating bowel movement.
 Sardines can be compared to Superman based on their nutritional properties. They contain substances that are beneficial for the skin, joints, memory, and cardiovascular health. Sardines contain a large amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But the most exclusive health benefit of sardines is that they contain fatty acids, such as omega-3. Scientists have proven that the fatty acids of omega-3, contained in sardines, help to prevent the development of several different diseases of cardiovascular system, lower blood pressure, assist with insulin metabolism, reduce the risk of blood clot formation, as well as regulate the blood flow in the capillaries. Sardines are an excellent source of protein, which is easily absorbed by the body. In addition, sardines have a whole bunch of necessary elements such as zinc, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iodine, sodium, magnesium, fluorine, and amongst others. Sardines also contain selenium which is an important cancer fighting mineral.Sardines contain vitamin D, which is important for bone health because it helps your body absorb calcium (which is why they are recommended for pregnant women). According to some studies, regular consumption of sardines very positively influences the state of mind, as well as cognitive abilities. Due to the content of amino acids, omega-3 and magnesium, sardines protect against asthma. In addition, this fish helps to prevent the development of cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and strengthens the immune system.100 grams of sardines contain almost three times the recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 (which helps maintain red blood and nerve cells in your body); next to calf liver, sardines contain the highest amount of Vitamin B12. Even a minor deficiency of B12 can lead to anemia. Vitamin B12 helps cells metabolize protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Since sardines are small fish and near bottom of the food chain, toxins like mercury are not likely to be present. Therefore, sardines should be a part of your diet. You can eat them straight out of the can, or add them to soups, or salads.
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