Category: Herbs

Dandelion Roots proven to be Effective at Curing Cancer

The root of this plant is able to eliminate cancer cells and protects the rest of the cells.

This is an amazing news for people who are suffering from cancer. Under a scientific study, it is observed that the consumption of dandelion tea can help you to dissolve the cancer tumor in just 2 days.

It is a very welcoming news for the cancer patient. Dandelion is well known for its medicinal properties and health benefits. It is very simple to make dandelion tea. And additionally along with cancer dandelion tea is capable of curing many other ailments.

Researchers have found that dandelion root is more efficient than chemotherapy.
An experimental study led by researchers at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the University of Windsor, Canada has affirmed that the foundation of this plant can take out tumor cells and secures whatever is left of the cells. There is most likely this data will fulfill tumor patients.

The base of dandelion can successfully wipe out disease cells in under 2 days.On account of the outcome they have, these researchers could get support for another study that will give more replies about the proficiency of dandelion root and how we can get the greater part of it.

The 72 year old John DiCarlo, had benefits of this root. He had cancer and treated it for almost a month. But he changed something when he tried the dandelion tea. He was in remission after 4 months.

Pass on this outstanding information among your loved once so that maximum cancer patient can take advantage of this simple treatment.

The advantage of this treatment is that it is free from side effects and cure cancer quickly as compared to the conventional methods.

 

Source : http://nativeonline.info

 

Cymantra Admin

 

 

The Healing Benefits of Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a versatile medicinal plant. It has the potential to treat PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction and cancer. Here are the different benefits of Ayahuasca. Read it and it will surely interest you.

See: Video’s on how to brew your own Ayahuasca in a few simple steps, further down in this Article

Ayahuasca’s Medical Benefits

Although some want to try Ayahuasca for a different experience, say, transformation, others simply want healing. Yes, some patients who are not satisfied with their PTSD or depression medications turn to Ayahuasca. Others with terminal diseases like cancer also try it in hopes of improving their condition.

If you want to learn more about the wonders of Ayahuasca in the medicine field, read more on how efficient it is in treating depression, PTSD and cancer.

Ayahuasca cures depression The medicine reduces depression in the individual within two to three hours of ingestion. Quite similar to pharmaceutical antidepressants, this medicine seems to change concentrations of serotonin, the mood-boosting neurotransmitter in the brain. Another way it alleviates depression is by the action of its active ingredient DMT, the psychoactive chemical known to induce spiritual revelations and experiences.

Individuals with depression who turn to Ayahuasca find solace and solution in the substance. One of them is Kira Salak. Her experience is terrifying and enlightening.

Just like the other ayahuasca users, Salak saw visions. She found herself in a tunnel of fire. She heard wailing and saw men begging her to help them. Others tried to scare her that she will never get out of the tunnel, but she was fierce and strong enough to answer back that she’s not scared. At the end of the tunnel, she saw three thrones with shadowy figures. The devil was sitting in the middle, warning her that darkness will never end and that she can never escape to which she replied with I can.

Salak woke up and felt lighter and at peace. She saw the shaman welcoming her back and the following day everything was changed. I discovered the impossible: The severe depression that had ruled my life since childhood had miraculously vanished, Salak confessed.

Ayahuasca cured Salak’s depression and the experience made her feel lighter and free.

Ayahuasca cures cancer A number of Ayahuasca users who went to Peru returned home feeling revitalized. Some others tried Ayahuasca somewhere else and still get the same benefits of healing. Among them are Donald M. Topping, a former professor in Hawaii who was diagnosed with colon cancer and Margaret De Wys a writer who survived breast cancer. Donald and Margaret took Ayahuasca ceremonies in different places, but they experience the same cure. Both are now cancer free. They are just two of the growing number of individuals who claim Ayahuasca’s healing.

A Brazilian study conducted by Eduardo Schenberg, of the University of Sao Paulo, learned that Ayahuasca has the potential to treat cancer. There is enough available evidence that Ayahuasca’s active principles, especially DMT and harmine, have positive effects on some cell cultures used to study cancer, and in biochemical processes important in cancer treatment, both in vitro and in vivo, Schenberg wrote. Therefore, the few available reports of people benefiting from Ayahuasca in their cancer treatment experiences should be taken seriously, and the hypothesis presented here, fully testable by rigorous scientific experimentation, helps to understand the available cases and pave the way for new experiments.

Ayahuasca cures PTSD Some war veterans and soldiers who developed PTSD turned to Ayahuasca for relief. Some claim that the medicines they took failed to improve their condition, that’s why they travel to the jungle of Amazon for a new treatment and their trip was not in vain because they return home with a new perspective in life, lesser baggage and cleaner slate. The medicinal vine helps them clear their mind from suicidal thoughts, pain, and bitter experiences that were holding them back.

Ayahuasca helps PTSD patients conquer their trauma by activating their subconscious brain. It then reprograms the brain by reorganizing and neutralizing environmental triggers and symptoms. It also brings the traumatic experience to the conscious mind for processing and integration to one’s life with deeper meaning without replaying the emotional intensity that used to come with it. That’s why PTSD patients develop new and better perspective on the things that once haunted them.

Ayahuasca’s Health & Healing Benefits

Aside from treating PSTD, depression and cancer, Ayahuasca offers health and healing benefits with its transforming effects. It does not only strengthen one’s body, but it also reconditions the mind and spirit. Learn about Ayahuasca’s health and healing benefits in the following passages.

Expands Consciousness

Ayahuasca helps in expanding and deepening the known experiences along with one’s consciousness capacity. As a result, it benefits the individuals who consciously look out for exploring relationships, life and spiritual fulfillment. The Ayahuasca process lets one gain a better insight into the mental understanding of their life and reveals a deep understanding of their situations. The overall experience not only makes it hard to avoid the realities of your life but also opens the perceptions, increases awareness and lets one meet their thought process completely. At a psychological level, the brew enhances the feelings and perceptions, making an individual’s thinking, reaction, self-reflection and beliefs even more intense and vivid.

Among the individuals who enjoy this Ayahuasca benefit is Russ Binicki. Russ is a former soldier who survived the Vietnam War. His experience was quite traumatic. Three of his closest friends were killed in the battle and he was involved in several plane crashes due to mechanical failure. When he returned home he engaged in drinking, smoking pot and fights. He puts himself in danger as coping mechanism of the high intensity experiences he had in Vietnam.

He was in denial of his PTSD condition and anger related issues. He often gets angry easily. He gets angry when he drives,
while on duty, at home or even in public. His rage problems were terrible that he described his anger tendencies from zero to warp speed in a heartbeat. He also gets angry when his daughters are late on their agreed curfew.ayahuasca benefits

Russ’ condition led him to Ayahuasca. He travelled to Peru to try it and his life was changed. He learned more about himself, was able to understand his behavior and eventually admitted that he has anger problems. His Ayahuasca experience opened his mind to the things that kept on haunting him. It gave him the strength to confront those terrible thoughts it in a different perspective.

According to Russ, his anger issues were due to guilt. He was devastated after losing three of his closes friends in the battle. He felt bad for making it alive and yet seeing his comrades in the battlefield lifeless. He also learned that his being strict about the curfew was also due to his experience in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, when one gets late, it means he is in trouble. This thought is engraved in his mind. So when his daughters show up late, he easily gets angry. The anger was due to fears because paranoia struck him.

The Ayahuasca experienced enabled Russ to learn about himself and understand his behavior, which he thought was just normal. He enrolled in a PTSD program when he returned home.

Ayahuasca Self-Healing Benefits

Ayahuasca is often called as a healer due to the inner processes facilitated by it, that eventually leads to the initiation of psychosomatic and spiritual shifts in individual, physical changes, changes in habits as well as a release of addictive patterns. The experience inspires the users and helps them to work towards bringing a change to their lives, allowing a genuine transformation and self-healing to happen. The self healing comes from the deeper look into the ideas, realities, ideologies or beliefs as Ayahuasca is potentially powerful in supporting the knowledge about oneself. But, Ayahuasca is not an external force that intervenes and solves a problem inside a person without their own intentional contribution. The thing that makes it work on bringing a transformation is one’s own determination, motivation and intention.

Kirby Surprise shared one personal encounter with Ayahuasca that showcased the medicinal plants self-healing benefits.

One man had a major depression during graduate school while maintaining two jobs and raising a family. His depression was like a plague that kept him from joy and light. He struggled with work and his family. He even resorted to a medical professional for help. He took different anti-depressant medications and finally Zoloft. He was advised to maintain the drug for the rest of his life. However, it took a toll on his health and marriage life. He can’t sleep well and sex was difficult which affected his self-esteem. He tried talk therapy and other western medicine, but he still felt that something was missing. He was not whole.

It affected his mood and attitude towards his wife and work. Until he decided to confront his depression from within and heal himself. He studied shamanism and medical plants and went on to an Ayahuasca conference. He learned that UDV members use it and that studies showed that regular Ayahuasca drinkers were less depressed but more social and organized instead. There were no physical or mental side effects to long-term use. One of the deciding factors that convinced him to try Ayahuasca was the people he met at the conference. They admitted to be long-term drinkers of the Ayahuasca tea and for him, they were some of the most grounded, kind, sane and healthy people he met in his life.

He decided to try Ayahuasca despite his wife’s lack of support and he experienced something unimaginable and unexplainable. He saw lights, colors and visions. The images were beautiful and intense, it made him cry. Then the lessons came in, he realized that he was losing awareness of his body and felt the weight of how he treated his wife in the past years while he struggled with depression. The experience was sacred, painful and beautiful. He realized that he was so cold and angry. The Ayahuasca experience made him alive again, he can feel again and it filled him with gratitude and love. He wept and started sobbing, which awakened his wife who told him that he was hallucinating, but he told her that he was aware of what he was feeling. For the first time in years, he woke up filled with joy and gratitude. He started to appreciate his wife, family and work. What was on the verge of being torn down was restored. He is alive again and he is whole.

This story is a concrete manifestation of Ayahuasca’s power to heal one’s self.

Ayahuasca Spiritual Teaching Benefit

When it comes to spiritual aspirations, the Ayahuasca experience plays a major role of a spontaneous teacher. Without any claims to a specific phenomenological status about the source of the teachings, an Ayahuasca practitioner is able to have strong insights, revelations and a sense of getting guided. It is particularly helpful to bring a subject that you want to learn or understand into the ceremony. Ayahuasca will help open up those neuro-pathways to make learning easier. Aside from learning new ideas or skills, Ayahuasca may pave the way for a meaningful and deep divine experience.

Ayahuasca is popular in improving spiritual health. In fact, some religion ceremonies use this and refer to it as the vine of the soul. According to Sita, an Ayahuasca user, the experience affected her physically, emotionally and spiritually. It shifted her perspectives and perceptions giving her the most challenging experience and divine bliss. She considered it spiritual because her quest for it is to find meaning and surrender. Her experience revealed sources of creations and made her realize that there is someone out there with supreme power. Others may call it God, Allah or Buddha, but one thing is certain for her, there is a powerful force behind everything, which can’t be known.

Some Ayahuasca users felt that they died and live again. Some felt the divinity, others claimed to see God. Ayahuasca helps them understand humanity, find a connection, and feel the great power behind everything. For Ayahuasca users, the experience was something unimaginable and unexplainable. It altered their views about the sacredness of life and their purpose.

One study revealed that Ayahuasca can indeed improve one’s spirituality. One study found out that Ayahuasca users have high scores in Spiritual Orientation Inventory. They excel in all nine components which include transcendent dimension, meaning and purpose in life, mission in life, sacredness of life, material values, altruism, idealism, awareness of the tragic and fruits of spirituality. The score remains high even after the second assessment, which suggests that the use of Ayahuasca improves one’s spiritual health.

Helps Identify the Totality of Life (Transformation & Rebirth)

The vivid, intense or sometimes confused and chaotic visions associated with Ayahuasca serve to show a person the totality of one’s life, including the conscious and subconscious mind, behaviors, emotional reactions as well as their effects on their relationships. Sometimes, the visions often work as a factor of cleansing, allowing a person to process the visual imprints and the impact of TV, mass media, Internet and several other blockages of psychosomatic and emotional nature. The meditation-like visions can be anything ranging from simple reflections of a person’s life and situations that must be solved or healed to the visions of animal and plant spirits as well as astral entities working on the body and soul quite similar to a doctor. This eventually leads to one getting a complete picture of the elements of their life, relationships and difficulties as well as gain a better comprehension of the world. A lot of people take Ayahuasca for its realistic or vivid hallucinations and to gain an insight into the world’s and brain’s mysteries.

Martijn Schirp, one Ayahuasca user revealed that the Ayahuasca session turned him to be a believer. He saw visions that filled him with fear and loneliness. It was a pure hell. It hit him hard. He remembered seeing the interview of psychiatrist and psychonaut Stan Grof, where he admitted that he experienced to be a different kind of animals and a plant in one instant. Martijn did not believe him but to his surprise he experienced it. He felt like he was a haunted animal and the experience was so vivid and real. He saw the connection in the world, from the air he breathes, the food he eats, and trees and rivers that give life. When he came to his senses, he felt the pangs of pain at how humans abused the natural resources. He was disappointed that people failed to see the spirit of the mountains, trees and animals. He was broken hearted that the humans’ greed consumes the natural resources that money can’t buy.

The Ayahuasca experience raised his awareness and transformed his relationship with nature. He is now more sympathetic to the natural world.

Ayahuasca Increases Efficiency Benefit

The usual physical benefits associated with Ayahuasca are pretty astonishing. One of the core functions of the brew is the cleaning of the body and crossed energy straightening. This implies that at a physical and energetic level, it makes the body operate with as little impediments as possible. It makes your body perform everything more efficiently. This means either minimal is required for the maintenance of the status quo or higher benefits are extracted from the same input. It increases the energy levels and minimizes the need for sleep. During the ceremonies and during the dieta, one finds their energy levels all over the place.

Moreover, since the use of Ayahuasca is life changing it affects one’s efficiency. As it helps one come to his senses, discover his failures and learn from it, accept his mistakes and shortcomings, it also filled the emptiness with gratitude and love. When one feels good, happy and satisfied with himself, it resonates in his works and relationships. It produces a better person and worker. Thus, making one more efficient in everything he does.

For those who felt stuck with their lives that they can no longer give their best to their work or family, Ayahuasca can help you regain your wholeness for a more efficient you.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that Ayahuasca offers many benefits, be it in the medical field or health and healing. But is Ayahuasca legal? You’ll be disappointed because, in the U.S., this psychedelic medicine’s legal status remains questionable. Brews made with DMT containing plants are illegal in the country as it is categorized as Schedule I drug.

However, due to religious freedom in the U.S., there are legal Ayahuasca ceremonies. UDV members are allowed to practice Ayahuasca ceremonies because this medicinal plant is sacred for them. It is a sacrament that helps them heighten their spiritual understanding and perception. Furthermore, it brings the practitioners closer to God and enables them to experience divinity.

If you want to experience the benefits of Ayahuasca, you may try the UDV Ayahuasca ceremony or book a ticket to the jungle of Amazon. Try Ayahuasca to experience its amazing benefits. You will surely be surprised to find a better version of you.

How to brew your own Ayahuasca in a few simple steps

Ayahuasca, one of the most potent healing drinks known to man, is easier to concoct than one might guess. By pulling together mimosa bark and caapi resin, you can boil together and create this intense psychedelic.

We do not condone illegal activity of any kind so it is important that you find out if it is legal before you make the concoction.

The process is quite simple. Boil water, vinegar and the mimosa bark three times over the course of about 9 hours, straining and reusing the bark each time.  Once you have a concentrated liquid, add the caapi resin and melt it down until the drink is ready.

See Video’s below; the Making of Ayahuasca

 

 

Here is a step-by-step video demonstration of the creation of Ayahuasca

There are multiple ways to extract the DMT needed for the Ayahuasca brew.  Here is another example of a way to produce the drink

Keep in mind, this is one of the most powerful psychedelics known to man.  It has intense healing properties and is intended for ritualistic, healing endeavors.  It is often suggested that you use this substance only in the guidance of someone familiar with the ritual as it can be many, many hours of psychedelia.

You can also visit a shamanistic retreat and experience the entire situation under controlled guidance. This is suggested for people using Ayahuasca for the first time.  It is stressed that this is not a recreational drug, but a medicine to use with respect.

 

Admin Cymantra April 2017

Health Benefits Of Spirulina

Health Benefits Of Spirulina

The health benefits of spirulina are undeniable. Spirulina is hailed as a superfood that promotes body and brain health. This blue-green “miracle” algae grows naturally in oceans and salty lakes in subtropical climates.

The health benefits of spirulina are undeniable. Spirulina is hailed as a superfood that promotes body and brain health.  This blue-green “miracle” algae grows naturally in oceans and salty lakes in subtropical climates.

Abundant Nutrients For The Body

Spirulina is rich in nutrients, some of which aren’t found in the average daily vitamin. According to the FDA, the health benefits of Spirulina include significant amounts of calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron.  Spirulina is a great source of B-complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and antioxidants.  It also has essential amino acids (compounds that are the building blocks of proteins).  In fact, protein makes up about 60 to 70 percent of Spirulina’s dry weight.

An Antioxidant Powerhouse

One of the health benefits of Spirulina comes from its antioxidant properties. Spirulina protects our cells by warding off inflammation and other diseases in the body.  Spirulina has been shown to positively reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering “the bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the body while promoting HDL “the good” cholesterol.  In higher doses, spirulina could reduce blood pressure.

It’s Full Of Protein

Anemia is a fairly common ailment which can lead to fatigue due to a reduction in hemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood.  When one’s diet is supplemented with spirulina, it has been documented that hemoglobin content of red blood cells increases.

Spirulina has 4 grams of protein in a single tablespoon making it a more concentrated source of protein than red meat and only 20 calories.  With a high concentration of bio-available iron, it is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia as it will not cause constipation.  The health benefits of Spirulina are compounding in the body as the proteins and nutrients are bioavailable and easily absorbed.

Detox The Body

The health benefits of Spirulina include its ability to detoxify the body. It is great for cleansing the body of heavy metals by binding to them and removing them from the body.  Evidence suggests that it can bind to radioactive isotopes and may be useful for radioactivity exposure or radiation therapy.  A combination of zinc and Spirulina may help the body clear arsenic of people whose drinking water has unusually high levels, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Prevent What Ails You

Many people promote Spirulina as a treatment for a range of metabolism and heart health issues, including weight loss, diabetes, and high cholesterol, according to the NIH.  The health benefits of Spirulina help a range of eclectic health problems, including premenstrual symptoms and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), according to the NIH.  People also recommend Spirulina as an aid for various mental and emotional disorders, including anxiety, stress, depression and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

It’s Nontoxic

Toxicological studies of the effects of spirulina consumption on humans and animals, including feeding as much as 800 mg/kg, and replacing up to 60% of protein intake with spirulina, have shown no toxic effects.  Fertility, teratogenicity, peri- and postnatal, and multigenerational studies on animals also have found no adverse effects from spirulina consumption.

Doctors consider Spirulina to be safe in general, especially in light of its long history as a food.  Spirulina may become contaminated with toxic metals, harmful bacteria, and microcystins — toxins produced from some algae —if it is grown in unsafe conditions.  Be sure to buy Spirulina from a trusted source and always buy organic when possible.

Get Some Today

Spirulina is available in tablet, flake and powder form.  Adding a tablespoon a day to your fresh green juice or to 8 ounces of water will kill the sugar/carb cravings you have and keep you full for hours.  For those that want to reap the benefits of this powerhouse but can’t hack the flavor, capsules are a great way to go as spirulina has a very strong taste.  A little experimentation will help you find the way you will most enjoy adding Spirulina to your diet.  Here is a recipe to try:

Spirulina Chips

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons spirulina
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 3 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

METHOD

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper. Place potatoes on the parchment paper and toast in the oven for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes.
  4. Mix all spices thoroughly in a bowl. Sprinkle spices over potatoes.
  5. Place back in the oven and bake until crisp, about 30 minutes.
  6. Store in an air-tight container.

By Stephanie Weeks June 2016

Turmeric Is A Potent Inflammation & Cancer Fighter. How Much Turmeric Should You Take & How Often ?

Here’s everything you need to know about the health benefits of turmeric including how to take it, how much to take and how often…

turmeric-roots-and-a-jar-of-turmeric-powder

Historically, spices are treasured for the unique flavors they bring to food and for their healing properties.

Most spices provide some health benefits.

But one spice that shines for its medicinal benefits is turmeric.

You may have seen turmeric in the news as a potential treatment for diseases as diverse as arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, psoriasis, and Alzheimer’s.

But does this spice live up to its press?

And can you get the benefits of turmeric from food alone or should you take a turmeric supplement?

Turmeric and curcumin are often used interchangeably. What’s the difference between them?

Here’s everything you need to know about the health benefits of turmeric.

Traditional Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of Curcuma longa, a beautiful flowering tropical plant native to India.

Turmeric has been used for healing for thousands of years going back to Ayurveda, India’s 5,000-year-old natural healing system. (1)

Cooking residue found on pottery shards shows that people in parts of Asia cooked with turmeric 4,500 years ago. (2)

It is one of several spices used to make curry powder, an essential ingredient in south Asian cuisine.
It’s usually used dry, but the root can also be grated fresh like ginger.

This versatile spice was used traditionally to improve digestion, dissolve gallstones, relieve arthritis, and alleviate symptoms of allergies and colds. (34)

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It was applied externally for wounds and skin conditions.

It was also used as a beauty treatment. (5)

Soaps and creams containing turmeric are experiencing a surge in popularity today.

Turmeric paste is still applied to the skin of both the bride and groom in a ceremony before marriage in some parts of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to beautify skin and as a form of good luck.

The Relationship Between Turmeric and Curcumin

Many websites, even authoritative medical sites, incorrectly use the terms turmeric, curcumin, and even curry powder interchangeably.

This makes it hard to understand the information on turmeric.

Let’s clear up any confusion.

Curry powder is a mix of many spices including the spice turmeric.

Turmeric contains hundreds of compounds, each with its own unique properties.

But of all the compounds in turmeric, curcumin is by far the most promising and is the most widely studied.

Curcumin is not unique to turmeric, it is also found in ginger, another spice with a long history of medicinal use.

You can find many websites that make unrealistic claims about turmeric.

A few natural health websites boldly state that turmeric has been proven beneficial for over 600 ailments.

But the vast majority of studies were done on the isolated compound curcumin, not turmeric.
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The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says this about turmeric studies: “… there is little reliable evidence to support the use of turmeric for any health condition because few clinical trials have been conducted.” (6)

Why would this be?

It’s easier to study a compound like curcumin which can be isolated and standardized and acts more drug-like than spice-like.

But the overriding reason may be that there is little monetary incentive to research a spice that’s already found in millions of kitchens worldwide unless it can be transformed into a substance that can be patented.

Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric

As we’ve seen, the majority of studies have been done on curcumin — not turmeric — and it looks like there aren’t many health conditions this compound won’t help.

Proven health benefits of curcumin include alleviating allergies, breaking up the brain plaques of Alzheimer’s, easing the pain of arthritis, treating depression, controlling diabetes, and decreasing risk of heart attack. (7, 8, 9, 10111213)

But what about turmeric — what is it good for?

So far, turmeric has been found to contain at least 20 compounds that are antibiotic, 14 known cancer preventatives, 12 that are anti-tumor, 12 anti-inflammatory, and at least 10 antioxidants. (14)

Turmeric is considered a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer agent. (1516)

And studies point to a few specific conditions that turmeric can help.

Turmeric for Alzheimer’s

One of the most exciting benefits of turmeric is that it may prevent Alzheimer’s.

Elderly villagers in India who eat turmeric as a regular part of their diet have the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s in the world. (17)

Over 200 compounds have been identified in turmeric and curcumin is not the only one being studied for Alzheimer’s. (18)

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Another compound in turmeric, turmerone, stimulates the production of new neurons and seems to encourage the brain to repair itself. (19)

This property could make it a useful treatment for a variety of degenerative brain diseases besides Alzheimer’s, including Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. (20)

Turmeric for Arthritis

Arthritis and other inflammatory diseases are extremely common.

Over $650 million is spent in the United States every year on natural remedies for treating chronic inflammation.

Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and has been found to be beneficial for arthritis when taken internally and when applied topically. (21)

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The Arthritis Foundation reports that turmeric can provide long-term improvement in pain and function for those with osteoarthritis.

Their suggested dosage for osteoarthritis is to take one capsule (400-600 mg) three times per day or 0.5-1.0 gram of powdered turmeric root up to 3 grams per day.

Turmeric for Cancer

Curcumin is a promising candidate as a cancer treatment. (22)

It selectively kill tumor cells while leaving normal cells unharmed and works synergistically to increase the effectiveness of both chemotherapy and radiation. (23)

Dr. Saraswati Sukumar is a medical oncologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and has been involved in hundreds of studies on the effects of turmeric on cancer. (24)

She has found that eating turmeric prepared in food provides more benefits than taking either curcumin or turmeric supplements. (25)

Turmeric Is Better than Prozac for Depression

Turmeric has impressive antidepressant properties.

In fact it’s been found to be more a more potent antidepressant than fluoxetine, the generic name for Prozac. (26)

It is believed to work by reducing the stress hormone cortisol while increasing serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with happiness.

This is great news for the millions who have tried antidepressants without success or for those who experience unacceptable side effects (27)

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Unlike antidepressant drugs, turmeric either in food or as a supplement can used indefinitely.
It can also be safely combined with other natural remedies for depression such as St. John’s wort and SAM-e. (28)

Enhancing Turmeric Naturally

Unfortunately, turmeric’s main active ingredient curcumin is not very well absorbed.

Unless the right steps are taken, it largely passes through the intestines unutilized.

You can greatly increase absorption by adding black pepper, as is done in curry powder.

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The compound piperine found in black pepper increases curcumin absorption by a whopping 2,000%. (29)

Since curcumin is fat soluble, its bioavailability is enhanced when turmeric is cooked in oil. (30)

Again, tradition has this covered.

Indian cuisine liberally uses peanut, sesame and coconut oil, and butter-derived ghee. (31)

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric tea is a great compromise between to trying to get enough turmeric into your daily diet and taking supplements.

Boiling turmeric in water for 10 minutes increases the solubility of curcumin up to 12 times. (32)

The people of Okinawa, Japan are the longest-lived in the world, with an average life span of 81.2 years.

And they drink large amounts of turmeric tea. (33)

To make basic turmeric tea, put 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder in 1 cup of water and simmer for 10 minutes.

Strain if needed and serve.

If you actually enjoy it, you’re in luck because not everyone is crazy about it.

It’s very bitter and medicinal-tasting.

I’ve been experimenting to find a recipe that’s both healthy and delicious.

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This recipe is tasty and assures maximum bioavailability by both heating and adding coconut oil, a top brain-healthy fat.

Liquid Gold Turmeric Tea

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Honey or stevia to taste

Bring water to a boil. Add turmeric powder and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Add coconut milk and coconut oil. Heat until warmed through.
Sweeten with honey or stevia to taste.

Feel free to experiment with the ingredients and proportions to create the brew that is just right for you.

You can substitute almond milk or regular milk for coconut milk, as long as it contains some fat.
Ghee, traditional clarified Indian butter, works great instead of coconut oil and adds a rich buttery flavor.

Turmeric Dosage

Most of us in Western countries are familiar only with the turmeric found in the dried spice section at the grocery store.

But you can buy turmeric root in some produce sections — it looks a lot like ginger, a plant cousin that’s another source of curcumin.

According to the University of Maryland’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide, here are suggested turmeric dosages for adults:

  • Cut root: 1.5-3 grams per day
  • Dried, powdered root: 1-3 grams per day
  • Fluid extract (1:1): 30-90 drops per day
  • Tincture (1:2): 15-30 drops, 4 times per day

Their recommended curcumin dosage for a standardized powder supplement is 400-600 mg, 3 times per day.

Turmeric + Curcumin Supplements See Amazon.com for best selection and value
Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids that also contain piperine or black pepper extract.

When unsure, follow the dosage instructions on labels. (34)

Turmeric Supplement Side Effects

Turmeric consumed as a spice in food is considered safe.

There are almost no known turmeric side effects except for an increased risk of kidney stones in those susceptible. (35)

But I was somewhat surprised to learn that turmeric supplements carry a large number of possible side effects, interactions, and warnings.

While clearly turmeric and curcumin are not identical, their respective side effects and reactions are treated as one on sites like Drugs.com, RXlist.com, and the National Institutes of Health’s MedLine.
All three sites were in agreement that you should not take either curcumin or turmeric supplements if:

  • You are pregnant. Curcumin stimulates the uterus and raises the risk of a miscarriage. The safety of this spice while breastfeeding has not been established.
  • You are trying to conceive. If you are having trouble conceiving, turmeric could add to your difficulties.
  • You have a hormone-sensitive condition. Turmeric can act like estrogen so should be avoided if you have reproductive cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.
  • You have gallstones or gallbladder disease. Turmeric can make gallbladder problems worse.
  • You are scheduled for surgery in the next two weeks. Turmeric increases the risk of bleeding.
  • You take medications that slow clotting such as aspirin, clopidogrel, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, and warfarin. Turmeric increases the risk of bruising and bleeding.
  • You have GERD, ulcers, or other stomach problems. Turmeric can make GERD worse and cause gastric irritation, stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea.
  • You take drugs to reduce stomach acid. Turmeric can interfere with the actions of medications like Zantac, Tagamet, and Nexium, increasing the production of stomach acid. (36)
  • You take diabetes medication. Turmeric increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
  • You have an iron deficiency. Turmeric can prevent the absorption of iron.

Turmeric + Curcumin Supplements See Amazon.com for best selection and value
According to Drugs.com, 70 drugs interact adversely with turmeric and curcumin supplements.
You can find a complete list of turmeric interactions here.

Turmeric Benefits: The Bottom Line

Turmeric is a traditional healing spice with a long history of safe and effective use.
While there are turmeric capsules and turmeric tinctures available, their bioavailability is questionable.

They are also significantly more likely to cause side effects than cooking with turmeric which has no downside.

Some experts believe that the liberal use of turmeric in cooking is all you need to get therapeutic amounts.

We agree that it’s prudent to start first with turmeric in food and tea for that sweet spot of maximum benefits with virtually no risk of side effects.

And if you don’t get the results you want, you can try turmeric supplements.

If that still doesn’t bring the relief you’re looking for, then you can try curcumin supplements, staying mindful of interactions and side effects.

Chaga, The Cancer Healer and King of All Herbs

chaga

Birch trees take 15-20 years to reach maturity. During that time, the Chaga mushroom absorbs and concentrates many valuable enzymes, nutrients and healing compounds that are bioavailable to the human body.

Chaga grows primarily in Russia, but also in parts of Japan, Korea, Alaska, Canada and northern Scandinavia. And although Chaga is found on your typical white birch tree, the most potent variation is found on the black birch trees of Siberia.

Superfood is a word hot on everyone’s tongue these days, but right about now, you can’t use that buzz word without mentioning Chaga. It’s known as the “King of Herbs” and a “Gift from God” by many and after seeing it’s jaw-dropping antioxidant value, there’s no doubt why.

Antioxidant value comparison:

  • Chaga – 36,557
  • Acai Berries – 800
  • Goji Berries- 400
  • Blueberries – 24.5

Wild-harvested chaga mushrooms not only have the highest antioxidant levels in the mushroom kingdom, but of any known food known to man (as tested by the USDA and Tufts University in Boston, MA).

When I first saw an image of this polypore fungus, it looked like a giant mole…one with melanoma. And if you know about the ‘Doctrine of Signatures’, it essentially says, if a food looks like a body part, then it can be taken for a healing effect on that part of the body. Like a walnut, for example, bares a striking resemblance to the brain and as we all know, walnuts are high in Omega-3’s (important for proper brain function and health).

Turns out there’s no better treatment for melanoma than Chaga. Approximately 25 percent of the pigments in Chaga are melanin (a really high amount). Melanin is important for the health of the skin and hair with its protective properties and its ability to target free radicals and help with sleep.

Though new to many of us, Chaga has actually been used as a folk remedy for more than (a documented) 4,600 years. The uses for Chaga spans a wide range of health problems including:

  • stomach pain
  • ulcers
  • asthma
  • bronchitis
  • liver problems
  • eczema & psoriasis
  • cancer
  • chronic fatigues syndrome
  • the flu
  • HIV
  • tuberculosis
  • hypertension
  • viral infections
  • cardiovascular disease
  • diabetes.
  • fibromyalgia
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • stroke
  • Alzheimer’s Disease and more…

Recent studies have shown Chaga to have anti-tumor and antiviral properties, effectiveness against influenza and various cancer cells and is being heavily researched and studied for the treatment of HIV.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has even classified Chaga as a medicinal mushroom under WTO codes.

Here are some ways Chaga can benefit your health:

  • It’s adaptogenic – brings the body into homeostasis and beneficial for all autoimmune diseases by regulating the immune system.
  • The richest source of the enzyme SOD (superoxide dismutase). This super antioxidant prevents damage to the cell’s DNA. Low tissue levels of SOD correlate with a decline in overall health and a shorter lifespan
  • Provides lots of B-Vitamins and also flavonoids, enzymes, minerals and phenols
  • Contains the highest known antioxidant concentrations of any food
  • Contains an abundance of melanin, an important anti-aging compound that helps skin, balances the body’s bio-rhythms and activates the pineal gland
  • Rich in Zinc – which helps with proper cell growth, differentiation and survival
  • Promotes overall well-being
  • Boosts energy levels & physical stamina
  • Anti-aging properties
  • Anti-fungal & anti-candida
  • Antiviral & Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • Joint health – contains the spongy stuff that’s in your joints – Glucosamine and chondroitin
  • Balances blood sugar levels

To take Chaga you can simply drop a tsp. of Chaga powder in warm liquid (such as your morning chai or hot cocoa) and drink up. It actually has a pleasant taste, no funky bitterness. Traditionally though, the tea is made by simmering Chaga at a low temperature for 6-8 hours. The temperature should not to exceed 140 degrees fahrenheit (staying at a low heat will protect the destruction of proteins, sterols and enzymes). Strain and drink at any temperature you like!

By:
Bess O’Connor  Mon, July 06 2015
You can learn more and buy Chaga at http://chaga.ca