Posts Tagged ‘Herbs’

Heart Healthy Cooking Herbs

Before cooking meat, select portions of meat, which have minimum fat. On the other hand, if you have chosen parts with meat, cut out those parts, for more detail go to: www.camping-outdoors-recipes.com.which contain meat. Another substitute for meat is fish. Fish does contain fats, but it is low in saturated fats. In addition, fish oil is good for health. You can eat baked, boiled, or grilled fish.

Crawfish and shrimps contain higher levels of cholesterol than other seafood, but they have low saturated fats. In addition, instead of non-vegetarian food, you can switch to vegetarian food, to completely cut down the calories and fats. Try beans, mushrooms, salads, home made low fat salad burgers to cut down the fat. Try cooking vegetables with less oil for heart healthy meals. Cut down excessive use of salt in the food so that the sodium levels in the blood remain stable. Use more of heart healthy herbs and spices to make the food even tastier. Follow this heart healthy diet to live longer.

Here are a few more recipes for a carbohydrate addict’s heart healthy diet. Try boiled Brussels sprouts sprinkled with finely chopped onion, salt, pepper and a dash of lemon. It is not only tasty but also nutritious. If you are ordering starters in a restaurant, which constitute of breads made from white flour, go for whole wheat bread instead. White flour bread has nothing but carbohydrates, for more detail go to: www.delicious-sandwich-recipes.com. which your body does not need. Again, instead of eating white rice eat brown rice, which is healthier. Make sandwiches out of salad leaves instead of bread. Cut down on wafers, crackers and all other junk foods. If you follow this heart healthy diet, your cholesterol levels will be back to normal in no time.

Eating heart healthy foods will also help in weight loss. As you cut down on calories and saturated fats and switch over to foods to keep your heart healthy, your weight will also be balanced. For all those diabetic patients out there, here are some diabetic heart healthy recipes. You can make carrot cake with raisins, nuts, etc. which is by the way very nourishing. A heart healthy chocolate cake recipe would me a chocolate cake stuffed with pieces of carrots, apples, etc.

If you don’t want your kids to have heart problems in the future, try educating them since childhood about the importance of eating healthy foods. Some heart healthy activities for kids could be quizzes, which educate them about the right foods, the importance of exercise etc.

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Arthritis – Herbs and Ayurvedic Remedies, Arthritis Symptom and Other Treatments

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It can occur anywhere in the body and, based on that, there are several types of arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is the common ailment of pain in the joints observed in elderly people. Other common types of arthritic ailments are rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

The word arthritis is derived from two root Greek words – arthros meaning ‘joint’ and it is meaning ‘inflammation’. Hence, arthritis literally translates as inflammation of the joints.

Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means, it is a disease in which the human body attacks itself. It begins in one or two joints where an acute pain is felt. This is the most miserable phase of arthritis. Over time, this pain may disappear, but it could cause permanent deformities in the bones and joints.

Why is Arthritis caused?

Different types of arthritis are caused due to different reasons.

(1) Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a common old-age problem, which affects several people who have crossed the age of 40 years. In people with osteoarthritis, the bones may increase in size at their articulating points. As a result the spaces between them in the joints become less. When moving about, there is a high probability that different bones will rub against each other. This is the cause of osteoarthritis.

(2) Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is a more serious problem than osteoarthritis because it can occur at any age. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the ligaments and tendons between the joints undergo degeneration. This causes severe pain where the degeneration has taken place. Common rheumatoid arthritis pains are felt in the fingers; but other places like the wrists, hip and knees are also affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is responsible for deformation of the fingers.

(3) Septic Arthritis – Septic arthritis is a special type of arthritis which is caused when the joints get infected.

(4) Gout – Gout is common old-age arthritis. It is caused when crystals of uric acid are deposited in the spaces between the joints. This type of arthritis is linked with faulty digestion.

What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

In all types of arthritis, the following symptoms are observed:-

The initial pains are felt as fleeting pains in the joints, which seem to be no more than a twitching pain.

Pains alternate between various joints quickly.

If the arthritis becomes acute, then on a particular day there is very sharp pain in a joint, and it becomes absolutely normal the next day. The next day another joint could be affected in a similar fashion.

The pains could increase in the winter season or in cold nights.

How can Arthritis be avoided?

Arthritis cannot be avoided effectively as it is a common ailment that occurs with advancing age. One must learn to live with the problem. But there are various things which can be avoided in order to keep arthritis at bay.

The following foods must be avoided if you have continuous arthritic pains:

Animal fats

Fried foods

Foods rich in carbohydrates like potatoes

Tomatoes

Peppers

Salt

Simple yogic asanas and light exercise helps proper digestion of the body and also protects it from autoimmune problems. Hence, these are beneficial in arthritis.

If you have recurrent pains in the joints, then do not keep the joint covered. As far as possible, keep the joint exposed to the air. For example, if you have pain in the knee joints, then do not wear tight denim clothing; shorts would be a good idea. This will provide freer circulation of blood in the joint and reduce the pains.

How can Arthritis be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

Some household remedies are known to provide relief from arthritic pains. The following are some of the more benefiting ones:-

Applying a paste of limestone and honey on the affected joints externally provides relief.

Mash some mustard in warm water and apply this solution on the joints. This must be done repeatedly to get results.

Put two teaspoons of cumin into a glass of water. Bring this to a boil. When the water is still hot, soak a towel in it and foment the affected region with this towel. This will provide relief from the pain within a few hours.

Asafetida mixed with egg yolk can be applied on the affected joints to seek immediate relief.

Prepare a pancake from wheat flour. Roast it on one side, but leave it uncooked on the other. Then put some heated mustard oil on the uncooked side. When it is hot, tie it like a tourniquet on the affected joint, or provide fomentation with it. This provides quick relief.

Mix some cardamom in milk. Put a pinch of turmeric in this milk. This is to be drunk every night while going to sleep. This makes the person sleep peacefully in the morning.

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Stress Relief With Herbs: Discover How These Herbal Remedies Can Calm You Down In A Hurry

You’ve heard about herbs and that they might bring stress relief, but you may have hesitated. Are they safe? Which ones to take? How much? Which ones are the best ones?

Sure, there’s Valium, but synthetic drugs can have so many side effects. How about something more gentle and natural? There are quite a few herbs that can help relieve stress symptoms and generally do so without affecting your ability to think clearly.

Herbs have been used for generations, and for the most part, they’re not only highly effective with few side effects, but they’re cheaper than prescription medication too. Just be sure not to underestimate them. Herbs can be very powerful, and you need to learn how they work and be aware of possible interactions between herbs and any other drugs you might be taking.

In order to understand how herbs can help, it’s useful to know what happens when we are stressed. First of all, when stressed, we become tense throughout our bodies. Our muscles tighten, our brain becomes overwhelmed with stimulation, and our nervous systems go into high gear. If this condition persists too long or is repeated too frequently, our bodies will begin to break down.

That’s why it’s important to find a way to relieve stress without adding even more stressors to our bodies, as is often the case with drugs or alcohol. And that’s where herbs fit in.

Here are some favorite herbs for stress relief. People respond better to some than to others. The key is to experiment, pay close attention to their effects on you, and find those that work best for you.

Hops

We tend to relate hops to beer, but it is also used as tea to relieve depression and calm the nervous system. It also helps alleviate other conditions often associated with stress, such as digestive disturbances.

Skullcap

Skullcap is a plant that grows freely in North American and in tropical climates. It is one of 50 fundamental herbs used in Chinese herbology. For centuries, Chinese physicians have used it as to calm nervous tension and anxiety.

Passion Flower

Passion Flower is found worldwide, except in Antarctica and Europe. It is popular in Europe to relieve nervous tension. The leaves can be used to make tea to relieve insomnia, depression and anxiety.

Valerian

Valerian has been used in Europe for generations. It’s highly effective in calming stressed nerves. Its smell may take some getting used to, but once you reap the benefits, you may actually come to like it (or at least develop positive associations with it). If you find the odour too hard to take, try it in tablet or pill form. It works just as well.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family. Originating in Europe, it is well known for its calming effect. It can be taken as an herbal tea and can be used as aromatherapy.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a long-time favourite that is usually drunk as a tea to trigger relaxation and improve sleep.

Green Tea

We’ve heard a lot lately about green tea. It is now readily available in any grocery or convenience store as an iced tea, in tea bags, and other formats. It is a natural relaxant, in part because of theanine, a main substance of green tea. But be careful… If also contains caffeine, though not very much. However, if you’re not used to caffeine, it may keep you awake at night.

You’ll find various combinations of these herbs as calming teas in your grocery store or in pill form in your local health food store. Which ones work best? Personally, I like ones that include passion flower and/or valerian best. And hops, especially when you’re ready for sleep.

My recommendation for you? Try some of them and keep tabs on how they work for you. You may never need another Valium ever again. Just remember that herbs too are powerful. Be very careful with driving and operating machinery until you know how they affect you. And, of course, you may want to check with your doctor first.

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The Top Five Herbs for Stress Relief and What They Can Do for you

The use of herbs for stress relief is becoming more popular. From special teas to tablets and capsules, herbal remedies are readily available. These therapeutic herbs have been used for nearly 5,000 years. The Ancient Romans, Egyptians, Greeks and Chinese all used them for their healing properties. Today the use of herbals is more appealing because of rampant stress in our society.

Taking herbs for stress relief is an easy, inexpensive way to improve your well-being. They are readily available and very safe. You can even find herbal teas at your local market. Some of those teas are great stress relievers. If you want to try a gentle yet effective way to combat the negative effects of stress, give these herbal remedies a try.

1) Siberian Ginseng – This herb packs a punch when it comes to stress relief. Its benefits are: increases resistance to stress, combats mental fatigue, relieves fatigue, depression and anxiety, increases energy, diminishes irritability and lethargy and strengthens the nervous system. What more could you ask for in an herbal treatment?

2) Ashwagandha – If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, ashwagandha will help immensely. It normalizes adrenal and other bodily functions, increases energy, promotes energy and works as an anti-inflammatory. The anti-inflammatory properties of ashwagandha are vital in times of stress. Excess stress can sometimes cause systemic inflammation.

3) Rhodiola Rosea – Another powerful stress fighter is rhodiola rosea. Reducing fatigue, improving memory and concentration are all benefits of rhodiola. It also stimulates the immune system which enables to body to ward off illness and disease. It is advised not to take rhodiola and Siberian ginseng at the same time. One or the other will suffice.

4) Valerian Root – Use this herb for stress relief if insomnia is one of your symptoms. It soothes the nerves and has sedating effects. Use it before bedtime for a better night’s sleep.

5) Chamomile – Because of its relaxing qualities, chamomile is a very popular herb. A cup of chamomile tea is a popular way to relieve anxiety, restlessness and nervousness. It is also sedating and promotes a restful sleep.

After learning the benefits of herbal remedies, deciding to use herbs for stress relief should be a no brainer. They are safe, gentle, readily available, easy to take and inexpensive. They can be found in many forms including teas, tablets, capsules and liquids. Your local market, health food store or nutrition shop will have an ample supply.

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