Today's Natural Cure: Ginger

This article is from  naturalnews.com

Ultimate brain food - Increase memory, reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and protect against multiple sclerosis with ginger

(NaturalNews) Ginger root is a well-recognized health marvel, mending everything from inflammation to cancer to diabetes. But did you know that it can also improve brain function? In our demanding world, acute cognitive ability is essential. Fortunately, ginger is an outstanding ally in the quest for enhanced memory and clarity. Moreover, it plays a substantial role in guarding against brain oxidative stress and neurological disease.

Wonder remedy

As a functional food, ginger is hard to beat. Used throughout the world as a delicious culinary ingredient, it also has a long track record of healing benefits. Ginger has been shown to:

- Reduce pain

- Prevent diabetes

- Defeat cancer

- Heal bacterial and fungal infections

- Tame inflammation

- Soothe nausea

- Lessen the effect of toxic chemicals

- Treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

- Protect against radiation

- Improve cardiovascular health

- Defend against the risk of stroke

- Curb migraine headaches

And there's more. Current research has shown ginger can help make you smarter and protect against neurological afflictions too.

Brain boosting properties

Research published in Evidence Based Complementary Medicine found that the consumption of ginger by middle-aged women improved cognitive ability. Sixty healthy participants were randomly given either a placebo or standardized ginger extract (400 and 800 mg once per day) for two months. The volunteers were then evaluated at the one and two month mark for memory and cognitive function. Those who received the extract demonstrated a considerable increase in memory, while brain oxidative stress was reduced.

Another study discovered ginger root helped minimize monosodium glutamate (MSG) neurotoxicity. After male albino rats were given a daily dose (4 mg/per kilogram) of pure MSG for thirty days, a significant decrease in the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine along with the brain neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin was observed. However, when an injection of ginger root extract (100 mg/per kilogram) was given for the same length of time, the hormones and neurotransmitters significantly increased. Researchers then found that when both were administered simultaneously, the extract mitigated the damaging effects of MSG - leading the team to conclude that ginger acts as a potent protective agent.

As an excitotoxin, MSG is linked with Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, autism and attention deficit disorder.

Whether contending with age-related cognitive decline or toxic food additives, ginger is an exceptional protective root. Including it in your daily diet is a powerful health affirming habit. Use it as a flavorful spice in cooking, freshly brewed as a tea or in extract form to help preserve brain and nerve health now and in the future.

Sources:

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://gaia-health.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://www.botanicchoice.com

http://www.whfoods.com

http://www.cbn.com

Today's Natural Cure: Cinnamon

This article excerpt is from  greenmedinfo.com

Cinnamon's Infection and Diabetes-Fighting Properties Revealed

Cinnamon's medicinal potential is as rich and complex as its flavor and aroma, with blood sugar balancing and infection fighting top on the list.

Cinnamon is a familiar spice, but few are aware of just how diverse are its medicinal properties.  TheUS National Library of Medicine houses well over 1300 abstracts on the subject of the various forms of cinnamon's potential health benefits.

GreenMedInfo.com has gathered together research on no less than 60 potential health benefits of this highly valued spice on our research page dedicated to the topic: Cinnamon Medicinal Properties.

First, it must be clarified that there are a wide range of plants whose bark are sold as cinnamon. The first though less used form is known as Cinnamomum verum (literally "true cinnamon") and is sometimes called Ceylon (the ancient name of Sri Lanka) cinnamon, as it is named after the geographic region where it was first commonly cultivated.  Due to its rarity, it is more expensive and harder to find on the market.

Other forms include:

•  C. cassia (Cassia or Chinese cinnamon)
•  C. burmannii ( Indonesian cinnamon)
•  C. loureiroi (Vietnamese cinnamon)

One of the major differences between C. verum and varieties such as C. burmannii and C. cassia is that the latter types contain much higher levels of coumarin, a naturally occurring phytochemical with blood-thinning properties.  This has prompted European health agencies to warn against consuming large amounts of cinnamon varieties such as cassia.[i]  Natural blood-thinning activity, of course, within the proper context can be life-saving, but when mixed with already dangerous blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin, can be a recipe for disaster - all the more reason why folks using spices and herbs in 'pharmacological' or heroic doses should consult a medical herbalist, or physician with a nuanced understanding of the benefits and potential harms of using high-dose herbal therapies.

Another issue that the US buyer of spices must be fully aware of is the likelihood that unless explicitly labeled USDA certified organic the cinnamon they are purchasing was exposed to toxic levels of gamma irradiation in a controversial process known as "electronic" or "cold" pasteurization. To learn more about this serious threat to our food supply read: The Invisible Nuclear Threat in Non-Organic Food.

Lastly, be mindful of the differences between the powdered whole herb, various water or alcohol extracts, and the oil itself. Some of the studies below focus on solely the oil component (90% of the oil is the therapeutic substance known as cinnamaldehyde) whereas others use water soluble components. The information listed below is not provided as medical advice but to illustrate the vast potential natural substances have to be used in a therapeutic manner. 

Blood Sugar Disorders

Probably the most well-known health benefit of cinnamon is for blood sugar disorders.  And this is for good reason. There is now a rather substantial body of clinical and preclinical research showing that it may help to improve the condition of both type 2 and type 1 diabetics in the following ways:

•  Type 2 diabetics:  Improve fasting blood sugar,[ii] reduce glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and blood pressure,[iii] increase glucose optimization in a manner similar to metformin,[iv] [v]improve insulin signaling and sensitivity,[vi] [vii] and improve blood lipid profiles.[viii]
•  Type 1 diabetics: Protect against hypertension,[ix] protect against diabetes-associated kidney damage,[x] suppress post-meal blood sugar elevations,[xi] and contribute to ongoing reduction in blood sugar.[xii]

Infections

While there is extant folk medical lore indicating that honey mixed with cinnamon can help relieve a sore throat, or fight off infection, few realize it has been confirmed to have extensive anti-infective properties against a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi.

It makes sense that cinnamon bark would protect against infection, as one of the major biological functions of plant bark is defense against predation (i.e. infection).  

What follows is an impressive range of pathogens that appear to succumb to cinnamon:

•         Aspergillus niger[xiii]
•         Campylobacter Infections[xiv]
•         Candida Infection[xv]
•         Coronaviridae (SARS-associated) Infections[xvi]
•         Escherichia coli Infections[xvii]
•         H1N1 Infection[xviii]
•         Head Lice[xix]
•         HIV Infections[xx]
•         Insect Bites: Repellent[xxi]
•         Klebsiella Infections[xxii]
•         Legionnaires' disease[xxiii]
•         MRSA[xxiv]
•         Pseudomonas aeruginosa[xxv]
•         Staphylococcal Infections[xxvi]

Today's Natural Cure: Apple Cider Vinegar

This article is from  naturalsociety.com

24 Apple Cider Vinegar Cures

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies for a number of conditions, and is often utilized as a powerful cure when common medical interventions offer no relief. It can even be used as a cleaning agent around the house. Health professionals have been utilizing apple cider vinegar to enhance lifestyle changes and target certain ailments for ages, and chances are one of these apple cider vinegar cures can help enhance your own life.

Just a Handful of Apple Cider Vinegar Cures – Treating 24 Issues Naturally

Here are just a few of many apple cider vinegar uses and apple cider vinegar cures:

• Acne - Apple cider vinegar is one of the popular home remedies for acne that has been circulated by alternative health professionals for quite some time. The reason why apple cider vinegar can help with acne has to do with how it naturally kills the bacteria that causes acne to grow. The best part? It can help with mild, moderate, or even severe acne cases.

• Hair Problems - Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar after shampooing can help give your hair a beautiful and healthy luster and shine. It can also aid in certain hair problems like dandruff and hair loss.

• Acid Reflux – Acid reflux is one of the most common ailments to be cured using ACV. While probably surprising, acid reflux is actually caused by too little acid, not too much – which is what the vast majority of people believe. You may find your acid reflux diminished and soon vanished by simply ingesting apple cider vinegar as it says on the directions (1-2 teaspoons mixed with 8oz of water taken 3 times daily), but increasing the amount used from 1-2 teaspoons to as many as 5 teaspoons may prove to be more beneficial for you. Stay away from dangerous acid-reflux drugs called Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) as they are dangerous and unnecessary.

• Strep Throat – Strep throat seems to happen to all of us, but it stands no chance against the power of apple cider vinegar. Perhaps the most effective method for strep throat treatment, apple cider vinegar can help treat strep when you simply gargle with the liquid after it has been diluted in a glass of warm water. The amount of ACV used may vary from person to person, but using 1-3 teaspoons in 8oz of water may be enough.

• Sinus Infection - Apple cider vinegar is a hailed sinus infection treatment, with countless individuals attesting to the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar against the health issue. One of the most powerful ways to use ACV is to mix 8oz of warm water with 2 tbsp of ACV and 1 tbsp of honey. The sinus infection could vanish within just a few days.

• Nasal Congestion - Potassium can help decrease mucus production, and apple cider vinegar is full of it. Vinegar also contains acetic acid, which prevents bacteria growth—possibly even those that would cause nasal congestion. Try drinking several times a day, especially before bed: 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup of warm water, and 1 teaspoon of local honey.

• High Blood Pressure - High blood pressure is experienced by nearly 68 million adults in the United States alone — that’s 1 in 3 adults. But just a few tablespoons of ACV daily for 30 days can makes worlds of difference. People’s blood pressure has gone from 150/80 to 130/80 in just a month while taking 2 tablespoons of ACV a day. Many others have experienced the same scenario, and blood pressure medications are often chucked.

• Weight Loss - Apple cider vinegar can suppress your appetite, increase metabolism, aid in digestion, and reduce water retention – all of factors having to do with weight and weight loss. Over time, you should see improvement just from adding ACV to your daily diet.

• Open and Clean Pores - To clean your pores, soak cotton balls in apple cider vinegar and dab/place them on your face. This will help to clean your pores and improve skin health.

• Cellulite and Stretch Marks - Mix apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water and a bit of honey and rub on the areas needed, then rinse with warm water. It won’t get rid of your stretch marks for good, but it should help reduce their appearance.

• Foot Problems - Apple cider vinegar can also solve foot fungus problems, as well as athlete’s foot and foot odor. In order to reap the benefits, leave your feet in warm water with apple cider vinegar and allow to air dry.

• Hiccups – One 13-year-old girl with chronic hiccups found that a mixture of ACV and sugar was able to provide hiccup relief. Hiccups are often caused by either low stomach acid slowing the digestion of protein, fatty sugary foods slowing the stomach from emptying and encouraging fermentation, or eating too much. ACV can be a great solution for hiccups restoring the acid balance in the stomach and eases irritating spasms of the diaphragm. It also triggers nerves in your throat and mouth which are responsible for the hiccup reflex.

• Swimmers Ear - Apple cider vinegar is a great disinfectant. Create a mixture with rubbing alcohol and water for maximum effect and use it as an ear dropper. This is considered one of the best home remedies for swimmer’s ear because it acts faster than any other method.

• Common cold - ACV is a fantastic immune booster, protecting and strengthening your body against the common cold.

Of course there are other apple cider vinegar cures other than the ones listed above. Apple cider is truly a great home remedy since it is all natural and generally quite cheap. Make sure you buy high quality organic with the ‘mother’ when shopping for the right brand. You truly don’t want to miss out on the benefits of apple cider vinegar has to offer.

Apple Cider Vinegar Cures are Also Great for:

• Itching
• Bee stings
• Mosquito bites
• Detoxing
• High blood pressure
• Disinfecting wounds
• Warts
• Cough
• Diabetes
• Menstrual Cramps

Additional Sources:

Rodale

LiveStrong.com/article/113943

Tipnut

American Diabetes Association

hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb44.pdf